In pictures: Ancient Japanese sumo returns to London for the first time in over 30 years
The five-day tournament saw elite wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to the iconic venue, marking only the second time the event has ever been held outside Japan.
After more than three decades away, the ancient sport of sumo made a triumphant return to London’s Royal Albert Hall, filling the sold-out venue with the sound of stomps, shouts and centuries of tradition.
The Grand Sumo Tournament, which took place across five days, showcased 40 of Japan's top wrestlers (rikishi), and concluded in a dramatic final bout, with Yokozuna Hoshoryu defeating Onosato Daiki to claim the championship title.
This was only the second time in history that an elite sumo tournament has been staged outside of Japan, following the Royal Albert Hall’s first hosting back in 1991.
To transform the concert hall into a dohyō (sumo ring) the venue was refitted with specially reinforced toilets and chairs designed to withstand up to 200 kilograms.
Around 11 stones in rice was eaten each day by the competitors with event organisers revealing that the wholesaler being used had run out of noodles because of the quantity ordered.
Outside the ring, the wrestlers became unexpected London celebrities. Fans spotted them sightseeing across the city - from posing in front of Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, to riding Lime bikes, pouring pints in pubs, tucking into McDonalds and even sampling hot dogs on Westminster Bridge.
