LONDON — The iconic Royal Albert Hall in London, famed for its annual “Rule Britannia” singalong, is gearing up for a unique event: Sumo wrestling.
On Wednesday, a flurry of camera clicks and enthusiastic gasps filled the hall as wrestlers Daisuke Kitanowaka and Akira Fukutsuumi showcased their skills through a sideways stamp and heavyweight grappling techniques, all to promote an upcoming tournament set for next October.
This tournament will be only the second elite five-day sumo competition held outside Japan, with the previous one taking place at the same venue back in 1991.
Event organizers are eager to reignite the excitement that surrounded the original tournament, which was known for drawing sell-out crowds and capturing national television audiences throughout the country. “It wasn’t merely an event at the hall,” noted James Ainscough, the chief executive of the Royal Albert Hall. “It transformed into a national moment. Conversations thrived in workplaces, and children reenacted matches daily in playgrounds across the nation. Therefore, it’s both a tremendous honor and an exciting occasion to bring it back in 2025.”
Various factors, including several scandals in sumo wrestling, the financial downturn, and the COVID-19 pandemic, hindered the sport’s return to London. However, the organizers feel that the timing is ripe, as sumo is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Two Netflix series have brought the sport’s intricate history to audiences around the world, showcasing its origins that date back 1,500 years. Earlier this year, a sumo hall opened in Osaka, Japan, aimed at entertaining international tourists with exhibitions and live bouts.
With the London event, organizers aim to showcase Japan’s rich cultural heritage alongside the traditional sport, which features two large men battling in a contest of strength and strategy, with little clothing involved.
In attendance was Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, the winner of the last U.K. tournament and affectionately dubbed “bulldog” by British fans in 1991. Now the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, he fondly recalled how preparing for an English victory speech was his greatest source of anxiety.
Japan’s ambassador to the U.K., Hiroshi Suzuki, also participated in the event, highlighting the occasion’s significance to the nation. Event organizers promised attendees would also experience demonstrations of Kabuki theater and other traditional Japanese arts, although the wrestlers remained the primary draw.
Kitanowaka and Fukutsuumi enthusiastically demonstrated their skills in the ring, dressed in their mawashi, or traditional aprons, facing each other on a mat for an audience of journalists. Their match resonated with a powerful thud as the two heavyweights collided, the silence occasionally interrupted by grunts.
The match was brief, and despite the chill of the November air, the wrestlers remained undeterred as they transitioned outside, shedding their robes to step into a classic London black cab for photographers.
Nothing seemed to faze them—not the cold weather nor the requests from photographers. As the Royal Albert Hall towered in the background, they endeavored to serve as ambassadors for the sport.
“Sumo encompasses a captivating blend of culture, ritual, sport, and excitement,” stated Ainscough. “Bringing sumo back to the Royal Albert Hall not only creates a significant sporting event but also provides a platform to learn from, and be inspired by, another culture and its principles. It’s an opportunity for us all to come together.”