After more than three decades away, the ancient sport of sumo made a triumphant return to London’s Royal Albert Hall, filling the sold-out venue with the sound of stomps, shouts and centuries of tradition.
The Grand Sumo Tournament, which took place across five days, showcased 40 of Japan's top wrestlers (rikishi), and concluded in a dramatic final bout, with Yokozuna Hoshoryu defeating Onosato Daiki to claim the championship title.
This was only the second time in history that an elite sumo tournament has been staged outside of Japan, following the Royal Albert Hall’s first hosting back in 1991.
To transform the concert hall into a dohyō (sumo ring) the venue was refitted with specially reinforced toilets and chairs designed to withstand up to 200 kilograms.
Around 69 kg of rice was eaten each day by the competitors with event organisers revealing that the wholesaler being used had run out of noodles because of the quantity ordered.
Outside the ring, the wrestlers became unexpected London celebrities. Fans spotted them sightseeing across the city - from posing in front of Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, to riding Lime bikes, pouring pints in pubs, tucking into McDonalds and even sampling hot dogs on Westminster Bridge.
Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, pose for a photocall ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 15 October 2025. (Sumo wrestlers, called rikishi, pose for a photocall ahead of The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 15 October 2025.)The opening ceremony ahead of the Grand Sumo Tournament on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 19 October 2025. (The opening ceremony ahead of the Grand Sumo Tournament on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, 19 October 2025.)Sumo wrestlers celebrate the opening on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London. (Sumo wrestlers celebrate the opening on the dohyo, the sacred sumo wrestling ring, during The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.)Sumo wrestlers, Takayasu, rear, and Abi push during their bout on the dohyo. (Sumo wrestlers, Takayasu, rear, and Abi push during their bout on the dohyo.)A Sumo wrestler lands on the edge of the ring during The Grand Sumo Tournament. (A Sumo wrestler lands on the edge of the ring during The Grand Sumo Tournament.)Sumo rikishi Kinbozan and Oshoma, right, during their Grand Sumo Tournament bout on the dohyo. (Sumo rikishi Kinbozan and Oshoma, right, during their Grand Sumo Tournament bout on the dohyo.)Shodai battles with Daieisho in the Makuuchi Division bout on day four of the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London. (Shodai battles with Daieisho in the Makuuchi Division bout on day four of the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.)Kotoeiho, back to camera, pushes and lifts Oshoumi during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament. (Kotoeiho, back to camera, pushes and lifts Oshoumi during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament.)Sumo wrestlers Oho and Kirishima grapple during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament (Sumo wrestlers Oho and Kirishima grapple during their bout at The Grand Sumo Tournament)Sumo rikishi Aonishiki left, and Ura during their Grand Sumo Tournament bout on the dohyo (Sumo rikishi Aonishiki left, and Ura during their Grand Sumo Tournament bout on the dohyo)Ryuden battles with Fujinokawa in the Makuuchi Division bout on day three of the Grand Sumo Tournament (Ryuden battles with Fujinokawa in the Makuuchi Division bout on day three of the Grand Sumo Tournament)Midorifuji battles with Ura in the Makuuchi Division bout on day four of the Grand Sumo Tournament (Midorifuji battles with Ura in the Makuuchi Division bout on day four of the Grand Sumo Tournament)
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