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Few sports can captivate an audience through three-quarters of an hour of ritual before the initial score is even determined.

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

Welcome to the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This five-day event at the iconic London venue features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to the first century BC.

London's renowned auditorium has been utterly transformed, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the dohyō.

Ancient Traditions Meet Contemporary Displays

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo professionals, perform their foot stomping to expel evil spirits, and where they clap to get the attention of the divine beings.

Above all this traditional ritual, a giant, revolving LED screen - that would fit perfectly at an professional sports event - offers the crowd all the statistics and footage they could want.

Global Fans Discover Sumo

For one dedicated fan, it was a "chance online clip" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was rapidly enhanced by the discovery of specialized online content for rikishi houses, where wrestlers live and train, starting their day early to practice, followed by a high protein stew and then an daytime sleep - all in the service of bulking up.

Hailing from Scotland, Another Perspective

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a conventional method: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We saw it as a common sightseeing event, but we actually ended up loving the sport," explains the fan.

"After that, we tried to locate groups, materials, just to expand our knowledge about it," adds Cezar.

Unique Chance

Going to Japan is generally the primary approach to see a elite competition.

This London competition marks only the second time the tournament has visited the city - the first time was in over three decades ago.

Even traveling to Asia isn't certain of obtaining admission, with current times seeing sold-out events.

In-Person Viewing

For many attendees, the London tournament represents the first time they have watched sumo in person - and it lives up to the hype.

"Seeing it up close, you get a sense of the speed and the power which you don't get on TV," notes one fan. "They are so big."

The Matches

To succeed, one competitor needs to push another from the dohyō or to the ground using brute strength.

The primary group use one of pair of techniques to accomplish this, often in split seconds - thrusting, or clenching.

Either way, the sound of the two rikishi crashing together in the first moment of the match resounds around the auditorium.

Prime Locations

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

During one recent bout, a 191cm wrestler tumbled into the audience - perhaps making those in more affordable locations feel relieved.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the size of the rikishi is one of the initial aspects most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The venue's management revealed they "had to source and purchase additional seating which can support 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its popular tournaments - is not without its troubles behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the rigorous lifestyle of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as desirable as it once might have.

Its following among young Japanese is also being competed with by different athletic pursuits, while Japan's declining population will not help.

International Network

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Experiencing the custom and formality that is part of sumo is especially significant," one enthusiast notes. "Currently, observing it directly, you feel like you are more engaged."

For other dedicated followers, the intensity "created amazing experiences" - as did meeting the other fans.

"Getting out of a very niche online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans in person and being able to chat with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was completely valuable."