Photos show Sumo wrestlers bringing 1,500 years of tradition to London's Royal Albert Hall

Tamawashi, left, pushes Watakakage during a bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Tamawashi, left, pushes Watakakage during a bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo rikishis Takerufuji and Roga prepare for their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament, Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo rikishis Takerufuji and Roga prepare for their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament, Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, Takayasu, rear, and Abi push during their bout on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, Takayasu, rear, and Abi push during their bout on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, celebrate the opening on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, celebrate the opening on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestler Takayasu throws salt before a bout during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestler Takayasu throws salt before a bout during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, prepare for their bouth on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, prepare for their bouth on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, Kotoeiho and Oshoumi, left, prepare for their bout during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, Kotoeiho and Oshoumi, left, prepare for their bout during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers Oho and Kirishima grapple during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers Oho and Kirishima grapple during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Kotoeiho, back to camera, pushes and lifts Oshoumi during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Kotoeiho, back to camera, pushes and lifts Oshoumi during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A Sumo wrestler lands on the edge of the ring during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A Sumo wrestler lands on the edge of the ring during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Workers build up the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring and the ceremonial heart of the event, during a ritualized process that combines centuries-old tradition with precise engineering at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Workers build up the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring and the ceremonial heart of the event, during a ritualized process that combines centuries-old tradition with precise engineering at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Workers build up the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring and the ceremonial heart of the event, during a ritualized process that combines centuries-old tradition with precise engineering at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Workers build up the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring and the ceremonial heart of the event, during a ritualized process that combines centuries-old tradition with precise engineering at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, arrive for The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, arrive for The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, pose for a photocall ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, pose for a photocall ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

LONDON (AP) — Sumo wrestlers are bringing 1,500 years of tradition to London’s Royal Albert Hall.

It marks only the second time the elite five-day tournament will be held outside Japan. The first was in 1991 at the same venue.

Organizers of the London event say they hope to show Japan’s rich culture as well as its traditional sport that pits two huge men clad in very little against each other in a test of strength and technique.

___

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Follow AP visual journalism:

AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

  • Hollywood 360
    12:00AM - 3:00AM
     
    Hear the best in classic radio, trivia and showbiz news on Hollywood 360.
     
  • The Chris Stigall Show
    3:00AM - 5:00AM
     
    Equal parts hilarity and desk-pounding monologues with healthy doses of skepticism and sarcasm.
     
  • The Inland Empire Answer
     
    Join Host Jennifer Horn for News and commentary that hits the bullseye for   >>
     
  • The Morning Answer
    6:00AM - 9:00AM
     
    The Morning Answer with Jen and Grant - Weekdays from 6:00 am to 9:00 am Watch The Morning Answer LIVE!
     
  • The Charlie Kirk Show
    9:00AM - 11:00AM
     
    "The Charlie Kirk Show" can be heard weekdays across Salem Radio Network and watched on The Salem News Channel.
     

See the Full Program Guide