ICS London Students Witness Sumo Spectacle at the Royal Albert Hall

The Grand Sumo Tournament held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, marked only the second time in the 1,500-year history of professional sumo that a five-day grand tournament (or bashō) has been held outside Japan. 

For the students, many of whom had never experienced sumo live before, the event provided a unique window into a rich cultural tradition: the salt-throwing rituals, the ceremonial stomping (shiko), and the tension of the bouts themselves.

Arriving at the hall in the afternoon, the students were greeted by the buzz of anticipation as ringside seats filled and the sacral atmosphere of the dohyo (sumo ring) was established. For many it was not just a sporting outing, but a cultural immersion: the mix of athleticism and ritual offered by sumo wrestling underlined the value of cross-cultural engagement in education.

As Ibrahim in Year 10 put it:

“We saw a lot of impressive sumo wrestling moves and action. It was very enjoyable and entertaining and it taught us a lot of new things about the sport of sumo wrestling. I was surprised by how the sumo wrestlers live their daily lives and their busy training schedule!"

Mr. Mark, our Global Perspectives teacher and iGCSE Coordinator, who accompanied the students, commented:

"We were lucky to witness this sumo wrestling exhibition, delivered by some of the greatest stars of the sport. It was very interesting to learn about the rituals and traditions behind the sport of sumo wrestling, which is heavily rooted in the Japanese Shinto religion. I was amazed by the power and flexibility shown by the sumo wrestlers and it contributed towards a fantastic spectacle and a very enjoyable afternoon!"

The tournament’s return to London is significant. The Royal Albert Hall previously hosted sumo in 1991; this 2025 event continues the legacy and marks a renewed international ambition for the sport. Organisers emphasised that beyond the spectacular bouts, they sought to share the deeper traditions of sumo with a global audience

For the students, the trip offered a number of take-aways:

• Discipline and dedication: Many wrestlers train from a young age, living in stables and following strict routines — something the students reflected upon in relation to their own school work and ambitions.

• Respect for heritage: The event emphasised ritual, ceremony and respect for tradition, prompting students to consider sports as more than just competition.

• Cultural curiosity: Being in London and witnessing something so foreign to UK mainstream sport sparked interest in both Japan and broader world cultures.

What began as a school outing quickly became so much more: a chance for students to engage with cultural history, witness athletic spectacle, and reflect on discipline and ambition. In the grand surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall, they saw two ancient traditions—British education and Japanese sumo—meet and spark curiosity.

The hope now is that the impact will ripple beyond the day: inspiring students to explore sport, culture and global connection with renewed energy.