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Few sports can captivate an audience through 45 minutes of ceremony before the opening contest is even contested.

Yet the detailed ceremonies unfolding in a compact earthen circle - mostly preserved for generations - succeeded in doing so.

Discover the Grand Sumo Tournament

This week-long competition at the historic concert hall features four dozen top-tier sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose first mention dates back to the first century BC.

London's historic performance space has been utterly transformed, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the dohyō.

Ancient Traditions Meet Current Innovations

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo professionals, perform their leg stomps to expel evil spirits, and where they applaud to summon the gods.

Above all this traditional ritual, a massive rotating display - that appears natural at an NBA match - offers the spectators all the data and video they could want.

International Enthusiasts Find Sumo

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

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for rikishi houses, where athletes reside and practice, starting their day early to train, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an daytime sleep - all in the effort toward gaining weight.

Hailing from Scotland, Another Perspective

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a conventional method: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We saw it as a typical visitor experience, but we actually came to adore the sport," says Julia.

"Subsequently, we tried to locate groups, resources, just to learn more about it," adds Cezar.

Unique Chance

Visiting the homeland is typically the sole method to see a elite competition.

This London competition marks only the second occasion the tournament has visited the city - the initial occasion was in over three decades ago.

Even visiting the country isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with the past period seeing fully attended competitions.

First-Hand Experience

For multiple fans, the current event represents the initial opportunity they have seen live sumo - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Seeing it up close, you get a understanding of quickness and the strength which you don't get on TV," notes one fan. "They are so big."

The Competition

To win the match, one competitor needs to push another out of the ring or to the surface using physical force.

The most use one of pair of techniques to achieve this, often in moments - thrusting, or wrestling.

Either way, the noise of the two wrestlers meeting in the initial contact of the match echoes around the hall.

Prime Locations

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

During one particular match, a large wrestler tumbled into the audience - perhaps making those in more affordable locations experience comfort.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the dimensions of the athletes is one of the first things most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The venue's management revealed they "needed to find and acquire reinforced furniture which can take up to 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its successful competitions - is not without its challenges behind the scenes.

Coming Obstacles

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

Its appeal among the younger generation is also being challenged by different athletic pursuits, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

Global Community

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Witnessing these custom and formality that goes with sumo is particularly meaningful," an attendee explains. "Today, watching it directly, you feel like you are more involved."

For other committed supporters, the drama "created amazing experiences" - as did meeting the other fans.

"Leaving a highly specialized online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans live and being able to converse with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."