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Only a handful of competitions can captivate an audience through 45 minutes of ritual before the opening contest is even determined.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a compact earthen circle - virtually unchanged for hundreds of years - accomplished exactly that.

Welcome to the Grand Sumo Tournament

This five-day event at the historic concert hall features 40 of the very best sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to 23BC.

London's historic performance space has been utterly transformed, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the ring.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Contemporary Displays

It is here the competitors, known as rikishi, perform their leg stomps to expel evil spirits, and where they applaud to attract the gods.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a giant, revolving LED screen - which wouldn't look out of place at an professional sports event - offers the crowd all the stats and replays they could want.

Worldwide Followers Discover Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "chance online clip" that first captivated her a couple of years ago.

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for training facilities, where athletes reside and practice, starting their day early to practice, followed by a high protein stew and then an daytime sleep - all in the pursuit of bulking up.

From Edinburgh, Alternative View

Another couple discovered sumo through a established path: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We approached it as a very touristy activity, but we actually ended up loving the sport," says Julia.

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

Unique Chance

Visiting the homeland is almost the only way to see a major championship.

This week's event marks only the second instance the tournament has come to London - the previous visit was in the early nineties.

Even visiting the country isn't a guarantee of getting a seat, with current times seeing fully attended competitions.

First-Hand Experience

For numerous spectators, the London tournament represents the premier chance they have watched sumo in person - and it exceeds expectations.

"Observing directly, you get a sense of the speed and the force which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "They are so big."

The Competition

To achieve victory, one rikishi needs to force his opponent from the dohyō or to the ground using raw power.

The majority use one of pair of techniques to accomplish this, often in instantaneous actions - thrusting, or wrestling.

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

Front Row Positions

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

During one specific contest, a tall wrestler went plummeting into the spectators - perhaps making those in less expensive positions breathe a sigh of relief.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the dimensions of the rikishi is one of the first things most people imagine when they think of sumo.

The venue's management revealed they "needed to find and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight."

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

Potential Issues

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

Its popularity among young Japanese is also being competed with by other sports, while Japan's falling birthrate will not help.

Global Community

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Experiencing the ritual and ceremony that goes with sumo is particularly meaningful," one enthusiast notes. "Currently, observing it live, you feel like you are more part of it."

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

"Getting out of a very niche online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans live and being able to speak to other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."