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Few sports can captivate an audience through 45 minutes of ritual before the initial score is even contested.

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

Discover the Grand Sumo Tournament

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

London's Victorian concert venue has been completely reimagined, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the competition area.

Historical Ceremonies Meet Current Innovations

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo professionals, perform their leg stomps to banish dark forces, and where they strike their hands to attract the deities.

Above all this historical practice, a giant, revolving LED screen - which wouldn't look out of place at an American basketball game - offers the spectators all the stats and replays they could want.

International Enthusiasts Embrace 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 specialized online content for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, waking up early to practice, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an midday rest - all in the pursuit of increasing mass.

From Edinburgh, Different Experience

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a established path: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We considered it a common sightseeing event, but we actually ended up loving the sport," says Julia.

"From there on, we tried to locate groups, resources, just to deepen our understanding about it," her partner continues.

Rare Opportunity

Going to Japan is typically the sole method to see a major championship.

This current tournament marks only the second instance the tournament has visited the city - the previous visit was in the early nineties.

Even visiting the country doesn't ensure of securing tickets, with recent years seeing fully attended competitions.

Live Observation

For many attendees, the UK competition represents the premier chance they have watched sumo in person - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Seeing it up close, you get a understanding of quickness and the power which you can't experience on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their size is impressive."

The Bouts

To win the match, one rikishi needs to push another out of the ring or to the surface using brute strength.

The majority use one of pair of techniques to achieve this, often in split seconds - shoving, or wrestling.

Either way, the impact of the two wrestlers crashing together in the initial contact of the match echoes around the hall.

Premium Seating

The cushions right next to the competition area are of course extremely sought-after - but also, somewhat dangerous.

During one particular match, a 191cm wrestler fell into the spectators - perhaps making those in more affordable locations experience comfort.

Behind the Scenes

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

The facility's operators revealed they "were required to locate and purchase additional seating which can withstand 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 professional athlete doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its appeal among the younger generation is also being threatened by different athletic pursuits, while Japan's falling birthrate will present additional challenges.

Worldwide Following

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Seeing all this ritual and ceremony that is part of sumo is quite special," an attendee explains. "Now, seeing it live, you experience being you are more part of it."

For other enthusiastic fans, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did meeting the fellow enthusiasts.

"Emerging from a highly specialized online community and being able to see all these sumo fans in person and being able to chat with other people who are just as into this as we are - it was completely valuable."