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Few sports can captivate an audience through an extended period of ritual before the initial score is even decided.

Yet the detailed ceremonies unfolding in a traditional dohyō - largely unaltered for centuries - accomplished exactly that.

Experience the Major Sumo Competition

This week-long competition at the iconic London venue features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose first mention dates back to 23BC.

London's historic performance space has been totally redesigned, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the dohyō.

Ancient Traditions Meet Contemporary Displays

It is here the competitors, known as sumo professionals, perform their leg stomps to banish evil spirits, and where they strike their hands to summon the divine beings.

Above all this traditional ritual, a giant, revolving LED screen - which wouldn't look out of place at an American basketball game - offers the crowd all the statistics and footage they could want.

International Enthusiasts Find Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "random video" that first caught her attention a couple of years ago.

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for training facilities, where athletes reside and practice, waking up early to work out, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an afternoon nap - all in the pursuit of increasing mass.

Hailing from Scotland, Alternative View

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a more traditional route: a trip to Japan six years ago.

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

"Subsequently, we tried to locate groups, materials, just to deepen our understanding about it," her partner continues.

Rare Opportunity

Going to Japan is typically the sole method to see a elite competition.

This London competition marks only the second time the tournament has come to London - the previous visit was in the early nineties.

Even traveling to Asia isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with recent years seeing completely booked tournaments.

Live Observation

For numerous spectators, the current event represents the first time they have watched sumo in person - and it exceeds expectations.

"Seeing it up close, you get a feeling of velocity and the strength which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "They are so big."

The Matches

To succeed, one wrestler needs to move the other man from the dohyō or to the ground using raw power.

The majority use one of two styles to achieve this, often in split seconds - pushing, or grappling.

Either way, the impact of the two rikishi crashing together in the first moment of the match echoes around the venue.

Prime Locations

The seats right next to the competition area are of course greatly valued - but also, a bit risky.

During one recent bout, a large wrestler went plummeting into the crowd - perhaps making those in less expensive positions feel relieved.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the stature of the rikishi is one of the primary elements most people think of when they consider the sport.

The facility's operators revealed they "were required to locate and acquire reinforced furniture which can withstand 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its sell-out events - is not without its challenges behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the demanding existence of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its following among youth in Japan is also being competed with by different athletic pursuits, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

International Network

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Experiencing the tradition and practice that accompanies sumo is quite special," an attendee explains. "Now, seeing it in person, you experience being you are more part of it."

For other dedicated followers, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did encountering the like-minded individuals.

"Emerging from a particularly focused online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans directly and being able to chat with other people who are just as into this as we are - it was worth every penny."