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Only a handful of competitions can keep viewers enthralled through 45 minutes of ritual before the first point is even decided.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a compact earthen circle - mostly preserved for hundreds of years - succeeded in doing so.

Discover the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This five-day event at the historic concert hall features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose first mention dates back to ancient times.

London's Victorian concert venue has been totally redesigned, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the ring.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Modern Technology

It is here the wrestlers, known as rikishi, perform their leg stomps to expel negative energies, and where they applaud to summon the deities.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a enormous circular monitor - that would fit perfectly at an professional sports event - offers the audience all the stats and replays they could want.

International Enthusiasts Find Sumo

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

This was quickly followed by the discovery of dedicated YouTube channels for rikishi houses, where competitors stay and exercise, starting their day early to work out, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an afternoon nap - all in the service of gaining weight.

Hailing from Scotland, Alternative View

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a more traditional route: a journey to Asia six years ago.

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

"From there on, we tried to locate groups, information, just to expand our knowledge about it," the other fan explains.

Special Event

Going to Japan is generally the primary approach to see a elite competition.

This current tournament marks only the second time the tournament has visited the city - the previous visit was in over three decades ago.

Even going to Japan doesn't ensure of securing tickets, with the past period seeing sold-out events.

In-Person Viewing

For multiple fans, the London tournament represents the premier chance they have seen live sumo - and it lives up to the hype.

"Watching nearby, you get a feeling of velocity and the strength which you can't experience on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their stature is remarkable."

The Competition

To win the match, one competitor needs to move the other man off the clay or to the ground using raw power.

The majority use one of two styles to accomplish this, often in instantaneous actions - shoving, or wrestling.

Either way, the noise of the two athletes meeting in the initial contact of the match reverberates around the venue.

Front Row Positions

The positions right next to the ring are of course extremely sought-after - but also, a bit risky.

During one specific contest, a 191cm wrestler went plummeting into the spectators - perhaps making those in more affordable locations feel relieved.

Internal Challenges

Of course, the stature of the athletes is one of the primary elements 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 support 200kg in weight."

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

Future Challenges

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

Its appeal among youth in Japan is also being challenged by alternative competitions, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

Worldwide Following

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this tradition and practice that accompanies sumo is particularly meaningful," one enthusiast notes. "Today, watching it in person, you sense that you are more involved."

For other enthusiastic fans, the drama "made it so incredible" - as did meeting the like-minded individuals.

"Emerging from a particularly focused online community and being able to see all these sumo fans live and being able to chat with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."