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Few sports can hold spectators spellbound through an extended period of ritual before the opening contest is even decided.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a small clay ring - virtually unchanged for hundreds of years - succeeded in doing so.

Discover the Major Sumo Competition

This multi-day tournament at the iconic London venue features four dozen top-tier sumo wrestlers showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to ancient times.

London's renowned auditorium has been completely reimagined, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the ring.

Historical Ceremonies Meet Current Innovations

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo professionals, perform their foot stomping to banish dark forces, and where they clap to attract the divine beings.

Above all this historical practice, a enormous circular monitor - that appears natural at an professional sports event - offers the crowd all the data and video they could want.

Global Fans Find Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "unexpected footage" that first caught her attention a couple of years ago.

This was quickly followed by the discovery of focused video platforms for rikishi houses, where wrestlers live and train, waking up early to train, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an midday rest - all in the service of increasing mass.

From Edinburgh, Alternative View

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a more traditional route: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We approached it as a very touristy activity, but we actually came to adore the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"After that, we tried to find communities, resources, just to expand our knowledge about it," adds Cezar.

Special Event

Going to Japan is almost the only way to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This current tournament marks only the second occasion the tournament has appeared in the capital - the previous visit was in the early nineties.

Even visiting the country isn't certain of obtaining admission, with the past period seeing fully attended competitions.

Live Observation

For multiple fans, the London tournament represents the premier chance they have experienced the sport directly - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Watching nearby, you get a understanding of quickness and the force which you can't experience on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their stature is remarkable."

The Competition

To succeed, one competitor needs to move the other man from the dohyō or to the surface using brute strength.

The primary group use one of pair of techniques to accomplish this, often in instantaneous actions - shoving, or clenching.

Either way, the noise of the two athletes crashing together in the first moment of the match reverberates around the auditorium.

Prime Locations

The cushions right next to the ring are of course highly prized - but also, potentially hazardous.

During one specific contest, a large wrestler fell into the spectators - perhaps making those in slightly cheaper seats feel relieved.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the dimensions of the rikishi is one of the initial aspects most people think of when they think of sumo.

The facility's operators revealed they "needed to find and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its sell-out events - is not without its challenges behind the scenes.

Potential Issues

Perhaps the demanding existence of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as attractive as it once might have.

Its appeal among young Japanese is also being threatened by different athletic pursuits, while Japan's declining population will create further complications.

International Network

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Witnessing these ritual and ceremony that is part of sumo is particularly meaningful," one enthusiast notes. "Currently, observing it directly, you sense that you are more involved."

For other dedicated followers, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did interacting with the fellow enthusiasts.

"Leaving a highly specialized online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans directly and being able to chat with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was completely valuable."