Sumo stars take over London: Sold-out crowd watches first night as 25 STONE fighters dazzle Royal Albert Hall – after drinking Guinness and visiting McDonald’s
After locals were stunned on the streets of London, drunk on Guinness and forcing organizers to buy new chairs that could withstand 200kg of weight, it was finally time for the Sumo stars to dazzle at the Royal Albert Hall and they did not disappoint.
Dozens of wrestlers arrived in London on Wednesday morning ahead of the historic five-day Grand Sumo Tournament, and images of the athletes touring the capital went viral on social media.
Adoring spectators lucky enough to score tickets to the sold-out event flocked to the Royal Albert Hall for the first night of the tournament on Wednesday evening after organizers warned fans of traffic congestion at the iconic venue.
Ahead of the action, social media clips showed off the stunning renovation, which included teams building a traditional clay dohyo inside the Royal Albert Hall for the Sumo event.
TikTok videos showed the entire two-day build, from tarpaulins laid on the arena floor to the finished ring under a suspended purple canopy, with Sumo branding flashing on the Royal Albert Hall scoreboard.
The sold-out crowd didn’t need a second invitation to dive into the Sumo experience, admiring 20 captivating matches.
The opening night of the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall did not disappoint
Iconic venue hosts five-day tournament and London goes crazy for Sumo
Wrestlers entered McDonald’s (right) and enjoyed a drink of Guinness before the event
Spectators watched 20 fascinating matches on Day One of the tournament on Wednesday night.
Event organizers revealed that seating had to be strengthened to withstand twice the weight to properly accommodate 25-stone wrestlers.
‘We actually had to source and buy new chairs that can withstand weights of up to 200kg,’ Matthew Todd, the Royal Albert Hall’s director of programming, told The Guardian. ‘Our usual standard is only 100kg.’
It offered Londoners the perfect opportunity to enjoy not only the culture of Japan but also its cuisine.
Speaking about the catering bill, Todd added: ‘This is important. ‘I know the wholesaler is out of noodles because we already ordered too much from them.’
Toilets have also been retrofitted. ‘The toughest ones are the ones that screw into the wall,’ he said.
Footage shared on social media ahead of the event showed the wrestlers traveling around London, including a stop at McDonald’s, checking out TK Maxx and a grinning reenactment of the Beatles’ Abbey Road parade.
Four athletes dressed in traditional attire were seen proudly walking along zebra stripes, with a London bus and cyclists in the background.
Other clips show groups pausing to take photos near Big Ben and along the Embankment as they double-watch the unexpected sightseeing party of tourists.
Top wrestlers weigh around 25 stone and as there are no barriers between the ring and nearby seats, a fallen wrestler could cause serious harm to spectators.
The Royal Albert Hall has been transformed and the anticipated event has sold out
Four wrestlers in traditional dress are seen proudly walking along zebra stripes with a London bus and cyclists in the background as they recreate the iconic Abbey Road image.
The transformation of the Albert Hall shown on social media has truly captured the imagination
The Royal Albert Hall has issued a safety alert on its website warning fans to be careful when booking the nearest seats; A wrestler falling can cause serious harm to spectators
The history of sumo wrestling dates back 1500 years and continues the Shinto tradition
The Royal Albert Hall has published a safety alert on its website warning fans to be careful when booking the nearest seats. Fortunately, no safety concerns were reported on night one of the tournament.
‘The tournament will be presented in the traditional style, with no barriers between the ring and these seats,’ said the statement released on Wednesday.
‘It is possible for wrestlers to fall or be thrown from the ring to the ringside during the competition.
‘We therefore advise that ringside cushions may not be suitable for those with mobility issues and that patrons accept that any use of these seats is entirely at their own risk.’
The venue is also advising young children to avoid sitting on ringside cushions during the event, which is staged in London until October 19.
Sumo wrestling, one of the oldest sports in the world, dates back 1,500 years and continues the Shinto tradition. Wrestlers throw salt before bouts to purify the ring, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits and prevent injuries.
