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

Yet the detailed ceremonies unfolding in a compact earthen circle - mostly preserved for centuries - accomplished exactly that.

Welcome to the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This week-long competition at the historic concert hall features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to the first century BC.

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

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Current Innovations

It is here the competitors, known as sumo wrestlers, perform their leg stomps to drive away negative energies, 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 professional sports event - offers the spectators all the stats and replays they could want.

Worldwide Followers Discover Sumo

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

This was quickly followed by the discovery of specialized online content for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, starting their day early to work out, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an afternoon nap - all in the pursuit of increasing mass.

Traveling from the North, Different Experience

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.

"After that, we tried to locate groups, materials, just to expand our knowledge about it," adds Cezar.

Rare Opportunity

Traveling to Asia is generally the primary approach to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This current tournament marks only the second occasion the tournament has visited the city - the first time was in the early nineties.

Even visiting the country isn't certain of obtaining admission, with current times seeing fully attended competitions.

Live Observation

For multiple fans, the current event represents the first time they have experienced the sport directly - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Observing directly, you get a understanding of quickness and the power which you don't get on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "They are so big."

The Matches

To win the match, one competitor needs to force his opponent out of the ring or to the ground using physical force.

The most use one of pair of techniques to achieve this, often in moments - pushing, or wrestling.

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

Premium Seating

The positions right next to the competition area are of course greatly valued - but also, potentially hazardous.

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

Organizational Issues

Of course, the stature of the rikishi is one of the primary elements most people think of when they consider the sport.

The hall's organizers 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 troubles behind the scenes.

Coming Obstacles

Perhaps the strict life of a rikishi doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its following among young Japanese is also being threatened by other sports, while Japan's decreasing numbers will create further complications.

Global Community

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Experiencing the ritual and ceremony that is part of sumo is quite special," fan Sian says. "Today, watching it live, you sense that you are more part of it."

For other dedicated followers, the drama "created amazing experiences" - as did meeting the other fans.

"Getting out of a highly specialized online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans in person and being able to chat with other people who are equally passionate as we are - it was worth every penny."