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Not many athletic disciplines can captivate an audience through 45 minutes of ritual before the first point is even decided.

Yet the intricate traditions unfolding in a small clay ring - mostly preserved for generations - succeeded in doing so.

Welcome to the Grand Sumo Tournament

This multi-day tournament at the historic concert hall features four dozen top-tier sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to ancient times.

London's Victorian concert venue has been utterly transformed, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the dohyō.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Modern Technology

It is here the athletes, known as sumo professionals, perform their foot stomping to banish dark forces, and where they clap to get the attention of the gods.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a giant, revolving LED screen - that appears natural at an professional sports event - offers the spectators all the data and video they could want.

Global Fans Embrace Sumo

For one dedicated fan, it was a "chance online clip" that first caught her attention a couple of years ago.

This was quickly followed by the discovery of specialized online content for rikishi houses, where competitors stay and exercise, starting their day early to train, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an midday rest - all in the pursuit of increasing mass.

Traveling from the North, Another Perspective

Another couple discovered sumo through a established path: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We approached it as a common sightseeing event, but we actually developed passion for the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"Subsequently, we tried to discover networks, information, just to learn more about it," the other fan explains.

Rare Opportunity

Visiting the homeland is almost the only way to see a elite competition.

This week's event marks only the second time the tournament has visited the city - the first time was in over three decades ago.

Even going to Japan isn't certain of getting a seat, with current times seeing sold-out events.

Live Observation

For numerous spectators, the UK competition represents the first time they have watched sumo in person - and it lives up to the hype.

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

The Matches

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

The primary group use one of two styles to achieve this, often in split seconds - thrusting, or wrestling.

Either way, the sound of the two rikishi meeting in the first moment of the match reverberates around the auditorium.

Front Row Positions

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

During one particular match, a 191cm wrestler went plummeting into the spectators - perhaps making those in more affordable locations breathe a sigh of relief.

Internal Challenges

Of course, the size of the wrestlers is one of the initial aspects most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The facility's operators revealed they "needed to find and buy new chairs which can withstand 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its popular tournaments - is not without its difficulties behind the scenes.

Potential Issues

Perhaps the strict life of a professional athlete doesn't look as attractive as it once might have.

Its following among youth in Japan is also being challenged by alternative competitions, while Japan's falling birthrate will present additional challenges.

Global Community

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this tradition and practice that goes with sumo is particularly meaningful," one enthusiast notes. "Now, seeing it directly, you feel like you are more part of it."

For other committed supporters, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did interacting with the like-minded individuals.

"Leaving a very niche online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans directly and being able to chat with other people who are just as into this as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."