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Not many athletic disciplines can captivate an audience through an extended period of ritual before the initial score is even decided.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a small clay ring - mostly preserved for hundreds of years - accomplished exactly that.

Discover the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This week-long competition at the historic concert hall features 40 of the very best sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to the first century BC.

London's renowned auditorium has been utterly transformed, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the dohyō.

Ancient Traditions Meet Current Innovations

It is here the competitors, known as rikishi, perform their leg stomps to drive away negative energies, and where they applaud to summon the deities.

Above all this historical practice, a massive rotating display - that would fit perfectly at an professional sports event - offers the crowd all the statistics and footage they could want.

International Enthusiasts Discover Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "unexpected footage" that first captivated her a couple of years ago.

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for training facilities, where competitors stay and exercise, rising before dawn to work out, followed by a high protein stew and then an midday rest - all in the pursuit of gaining weight.

From Edinburgh, Different Experience

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

"We approached it as a typical visitor experience, but we actually developed passion for the sport," explains the fan.

"Subsequently, we tried to discover networks, information, just to learn more about it," the other fan explains.

Unique Chance

Visiting the homeland is typically the sole method to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This London competition marks only the second instance the tournament has come to London - the initial occasion was in over three decades ago.

Even going to Japan isn't certain of securing tickets, with recent years seeing fully attended competitions.

Live Observation

For numerous spectators, the current event represents the initial opportunity they have experienced the sport directly - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Seeing it up close, you get a understanding of quickness and the force which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "Their size is impressive."

The Matches

To achieve victory, one wrestler needs to push another from the dohyō or to the surface using brute strength.

The majority use one of two styles to accomplish this, often in instantaneous actions - shoving, or clenching.

Either way, the noise of the two rikishi meeting in the opening second of the match echoes around the auditorium.

Front Row Positions

The cushions right next to the ring are of course highly prized - but also, a bit risky.

During one particular match, a large wrestler fell into the audience - perhaps making those in slightly cheaper seats feel relieved.

Internal Challenges

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

The facility's operators revealed they "needed to find and purchase additional seating which can withstand 200kg in weight."

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

Potential Issues

Perhaps the rigorous lifestyle of a professional athlete doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its following among youth in Japan is also being threatened by other sports, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

Global Community

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Experiencing the custom and formality that accompanies sumo is quite special," one enthusiast notes. "Today, watching it live, you sense that you are more involved."

For other committed supporters, the drama "made it so incredible" - as did interacting with the like-minded individuals.

"Leaving a very niche online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans in person and being able to converse with other people who are just as into this as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."