Sports
Sumo Wrestling Returns To London After 3 Decades
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
The English Premier League matchday 33 delivered high drama and significant movements in the table as Chelsea pulled off a last-gasp comeback, Wolves completed a historic double over Manchester United, and Arsenal cruised to a dominant away victory.
Over at Craven Cottage, Fulham suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side clawed back from a goal down to snatch all three points dramatically.
Chelsea claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon to strengthen their push for UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto in the final 15 minutes turned the tide after Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike had given the hosts the lead.
Chelsea struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession for large stretches. The Blues lacked composure in the final third, with Pedro Neto seeing a powerful effort blocked by Bernd Leno and Cole Palmer dragging a promising opportunity wide after a clever run into the area.
Alex Iwobi had put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, but Chelsea responded late. Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto fired home a stoppage-time winner (90’+3). The victory lifts Chelsea back to fifth, now just two points behind third-placed Newcastle.
At Portman Road, Ipswich Town suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The Gunners dismantled the Premier League newcomers with a clinical performance.
Leandro Trossard netted twice (14’, 69’), while Gabriel Martinelli (28’) and teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri (88’) also got on the scoresheet. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race and adds to Ipswich’s struggles near the bottom of the table.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League matchday 33. Pablo Sarabia stunned the home crowd with a sublime free-kick in the 77th minute, sealing a second win of the season over United for Wolves.
Note that this is the first time the Midlands club has done the league double over United since the 1979-1980 season. The win puts Wolves level on points with the Red Devils, tightening the race for European spots.
Relegation bound Ipswich was on Sunday hammered 4-0 by Arsenal.
Arsenal from the blast of the whistle meant business when in the 14tth minute through a cross from Bukayo Saka was pulled through by Trossard.
Still in the first half, another pull out by Saka was flipped backward by Trossard to Gabriel Martinelli who netted the second goal in the 29th minute.
Thereafter it was a ding dong affair as Saka missed three major opportunities to increase the tally.
Towards the end of the first half, Ipswich defender, Davis fouled Saka and he was immediately red carded by the referee.
Trossard hits his first brace at the 69th minute when he powered the ball into Ipswich net.
Nwaneri who replaced Saka made it four goals at the 87th minute .
Aston Villa on Saturday dealt terrible blow on Newcastle thrashing the strong side 4-1.
Details shortly…
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