Quiz: How much do you know about sumo wrestling?

The Grand Sumo Tournament left Japan this year to come to London.

FOR ONLY THE second time in its history, the Grand Sumo Tournament has left its homeland Japan.

Sumo is an iconic mix of tradition, discipline and combat that sees two wrestlers go to battle inside a raised circular ring, a dohyo.

Rituals and ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Professional sumo wrestlers dedicate their entire lives to the sport, living and training communally in stables called a heya which are led by a stable master.

The Grand Sumo Tournament started on Wednesday in London’s Royal Albert Hall and will conclude tomorrow.

So as sumo wrestling comes close to home, we want to test your knowledge of the sport:

For only the second time, the Grand Sumo Tournament has left Japan. On the previous occasion it left its homeland, back in 1991, where was the tournament held?

Alamy

Paris

Milan

The same London venue

New York

Sumo can be traced back to ancient Shinto religious rituals, many of which are still a part of bouts. Sumo is one of the world’s oldest sports, but how far back can it be dated?

Alamy

1,000 years

1,500 years

2,000 years

2,500 years

True or false: Women are not allowed to compete in professional sumo?

Alamy

True

False

What is a rikishi in sumo wrestling?

Alamy

Referee

The ring

The training stable

Sumo wrestler

Which of these is NOT allowed in sumo wrestling?

Alamy

Slapping

Pushing

Hair-pulling

Lifting

What is the name of the loin-cloth sumo wrestlers wear?

Alamy

Mawashi

Hakama

Kimono

Yukata

What did the heaviest professional sumo wrestler, Ōrora Satoshi, officially weigh? (He has since lost around 100 kg)

Orora Satoshi on X

272 kg

282 kg

292 kg

302 kg

Why do sumo wrestlers throw salt into the ring before a match?

Alamy

For luck

To purify the ring

To dry the ring

To distract the opponent

What is the name of the referee in a sumo match?

Alamy

Sensei

Judoka

Ronin

Gyoji

While training in the stables, sumo wrestlers wake up early for intense training, followed by chankonabe (a high-protein stew) for lunch, and then an afternoon nap. How many bowls do they typically eat for lunch?