"It comes after sumo's elite professionals captured hearts in October when they visited from Japan for a grand tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They were pictured wholesomely visiting Horse Guards Parade, enjoying Platform 9 at King's Cross station and riding Lime bikes around London. Fans greet sumo star Takayasu Akira as he exits the Royal Albert Hall after the final day of Grand Sumo Tournament in October. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian"
"I think social media probably is playing a part [too]. People who like, for example, boxing or UFC or something, their algorithm might start feeding in a little bit of sumo content and I think it's maybe growing that way as well. Templeton, who began watching sumo when it was shown on Channel 4 in the 1990s, said: It's amazing. I watch a lot of sport, I watch a lot of martial arts and combat sports as well."
Sumo is experiencing renewed popularity in the UK, fueled by social media exposure and a high-profile Grand Sumo tournament at London's Royal Albert Hall. Visiting Japanese professionals engaged with London life and attracted sold-out crowds, featuring grand champions such as Onosato Daiki and Hoshoryu Tomokatsu. Amateur interest has risen, with Britons and Irish participants training in mawashi and preparing for the first British Isles Sumo Championships in six weeks. Clubs like Sumo na hEireann in Belfast report increased enthusiasm reminiscent of a similar surge three decades ago. Short, spectator-friendly matches and algorithm-driven content recommendations are drawing fans from boxing, UFC, and other combat sports.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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