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Few sports can keep viewers enthralled through 45 minutes of ceremony before the opening contest is even contested.

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

Experience the Grand Sumo Tournament

This five-day event at the Royal Albert Hall features numerous elite sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to 23BC.

London's Victorian concert venue has been utterly transformed, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the dohyō.

Historical Ceremonies Meet Contemporary Displays

It is here the competitors, known as sumo professionals, perform their foot stomping to banish negative energies, and where they applaud to get the attention of the deities.

Above all this traditional ritual, a giant, revolving LED screen - that would fit perfectly at an American basketball game - offers the crowd all the stats and replays they could want.

International Enthusiasts Discover Sumo

For one dedicated fan, it was a "random video" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was rapidly enhanced by the discovery of focused video platforms for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, rising before dawn to train, followed by a high protein stew and then an daytime sleep - all in the effort toward gaining weight.

From Edinburgh, Different Experience

Another couple discovered sumo through a established path: a visit to the country six years ago.

"We considered it a typical visitor experience, but we actually ended up loving the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"Subsequently, we tried to find communities, materials, just to expand our knowledge about it," adds Cezar.

Special Event

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 first time was in 1991.

Even traveling to Asia isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with recent years seeing sold-out events.

First-Hand Experience

For multiple fans, the current event represents the initial opportunity they have seen live sumo - and it lives up to the hype.

"Watching nearby, you get a sense of the speed and the power which you don't get on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "They are so big."

The Bouts

To succeed, one competitor needs to move the other man off the clay or to the surface using raw power.

The majority use one of pair of techniques to accomplish this, often in moments - shoving, or clenching.

Either way, the impact of the two wrestlers crashing together in the opening second of the match echoes around the venue.

Prime Locations

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

During one recent bout, a 191cm wrestler tumbled into the audience - perhaps making those in more affordable locations experience comfort.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the dimensions of the rikishi is one of the primary elements most people think of when they contemplate wrestling.

The facility's operators revealed they "had to source and purchase additional seating which can take up to 200kg in weight."

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

Coming Obstacles

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

Its following among the younger generation is also being threatened by alternative competitions, while Japan's declining population will present additional challenges.

Global Community

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this tradition and practice that is part of sumo is especially significant," fan Sian says. "Today, watching it directly, you feel like you are more engaged."

For other committed supporters, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did encountering the fellow enthusiasts.

"Getting out of a highly specialized online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans in person and being able to converse with other people who are equally passionate as we are - it was completely valuable."