Sports
Sumo Wrestling Returns To London After 3 Decades
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The Royal Albert Hall has announced the return of Sumo wrestling after it was last hosted at the venue after three decades.
The Grand Sumo Tournament, which will last five days, is set to take place between 15-19 October next year. It will be hosted by the Royal Albert Hall 34 years after the first-ever official tournament outside of Japan was held there.
An elite crop of Makuuchi rikishi (wrestlers) from Japan’s top level Sumo division will go belly-belly in front of live audiences of Londoners as they compete for the coveted title of grand champion.
James Ainscough OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall said: “It’s a true honour for the Royal Albert Hall to be the only venue to ever host a Sumo basho outside Japan.
“This will be a historic occasion, and an incredible week of sport, athleticism, and culture.
“We can’t wait to share the rich heritage of this ancient sport with the British public.”
Each evening of sport will feature a dohyō-iri (ring entrance ceremony) and approximately 20 bouts of Sumo wrestling.
Sumo’s history stretches back over 1,500 years, with the only other instance of a grand tournament (or basho) being held outside of Japan being in 1991, again at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hakkaku Rijicho (Yokozuna Hokutoumi), Japan Sumo Association chairman and winner of the 1991 tournament said:
“I feel great joy and a strong sense of responsibility to be able to take part in the London Grand Sumo Tournament once again as chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, which I participated in as an active Yokozuna 34 years ago.
“I look forward to meeting many of you there.”
To accommodate the iconic Japanese sport the Royal Albert Hall will “transform into a temple of Sumo”, with an authentic soil and sand dohyō ring and a roof inspired by a Shinto shrine.
More than 40 wrestlers will compete, bringing the customs of Sumo with them, from hand-embroidered silk kesho-mawashi robes to ancient salt-throwing rituals.
H.E. Mr Suziki Hiroshi, Japanese Ambassador to the UK, also expressed the embassy’s strong support for the Tournament.
Tickets for the event will be available from early next year.cal Treatment
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a timely response to his critics on Tuesday, scoring twice as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston.
The emphatic win revived Portugal’s World Cup campaign after their opening draw against DR Congo and moved Roberto Martínez’s side into a strong position in the race for a place in the Round of 32.
Ronaldo wasted little time making his mark. The 41-year-old forward opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing from a João Cancelo assist to give Portugal an early advantage.
The goal saw him become the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups, further extending his remarkable international legacy.
Portugal doubled their lead in the 17th minute through Nuno Mendes, whose attacking run and clinical finish exposed Uzbekistan’s defensive frailties.
The Europeans continued to dominate possession and territory, pinning their opponents deep inside their own half.
Ronaldo struck again six minutes before the break, converting after being picked out by Bruno Fernandes.
The goal handed Portugal a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time and underlined the veteran forward’s enduring influence on the international stage.
Any hopes of an Uzbek comeback disappeared shortly after the restart when goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 60th minute, extending Portugal’s lead to four.
With the contest effectively settled, Portugal controlled proceedings and continued to create chances against a tiring Uzbek defence.
Rafael Leão completed the rout in the 87th minute, finishing brilliantly after a well-worked move involving Nelson Semedo to cap a dominant display from the 2016 European champions.
The victory leaves Portugal firmly back in contention for qualification ahead of their final group match, while Uzbekistan face a must-win encounter against DR Congo to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
For Ronaldo, however, the night belonged to him. Having faced growing questions about his role in the national team, the Portuguese captain answered in the most emphatic manner possible with goals, records and a performance that reminded the football world why he remains one of the game’s defining figures.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has reached agreement on a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
Chelle entered the new agreement with NFF during a meeting at the National Sports Commission, NSC, headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Chelle attended the meeting.
Chelle will now earn $100,000 monthly, in place of his earlier $45,000 salary, following the new agreement.
The Malian’s assistants will also now be paid by the NFF.
The 48-year-old, who was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025, guided the Super Eagles to third position at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has broken the record for the most goals in World Cup history with 18 goals after a brace in a win against Austria.
The defending champions won 2-0 after a hard fought game against Austria, but were able to get the win after Messi scored in both halves of the game.
Messi, who is widely regarded as the greatest footballer ever surpassed Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals.
Argentina now have two wins in two games and have qualified for the next round as they look to successfully defend the title.
Meanwhile Austria will look to seal their qualification to the next round in their last game against Algeria.
World Cup: Ronaldo silences critics with brace as Portugal demolish Uzbekistan
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