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Few sports can captivate an audience through an extended period of ritual before the first point is even contested.

Yet the intricate traditions unfolding in a compact earthen circle - largely unaltered for hundreds of years - succeeded in doing so.

Welcome to the Major Sumo Competition

This multi-day tournament at the Royal Albert Hall features numerous elite rikishi showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to ancient times.

London's historic performance space has been utterly transformed, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the ring.

Ancient Traditions Meet Contemporary Displays

It is here the wrestlers, known as rikishi, perform their shiko exercises to drive away evil spirits, and where they applaud to summon the deities.

Above all this traditional ritual, a massive rotating display - that would fit perfectly at an NBA match - offers the crowd all the stats and replays they could want.

Worldwide Followers Find Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "chance online clip" that first captivated her a couple of years ago.

This was rapidly enhanced by the discovery of dedicated YouTube channels for rikishi houses, where athletes reside and practice, waking up early to train, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an midday rest - all in the service of gaining weight.

Traveling from the North, Another Perspective

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a conventional method: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We considered it a typical visitor experience, but we actually developed passion for the sport," explains the fan.

"From there on, we tried to locate groups, resources, just to learn more about it," her partner continues.

Unique Chance

Going to Japan is typically the sole method to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This current tournament marks only the second occasion the tournament has visited the city - the previous visit was in 1991.

Even visiting the country isn't certain of securing tickets, with current times seeing completely booked tournaments.

Live Observation

For multiple fans, the London tournament represents the initial opportunity they have seen live sumo - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Watching nearby, you get a sense of the speed and the power which you won't feel on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their size is impressive."

The Matches

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

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

Either way, the sound of the two athletes crashing together in the opening second of the match resounds around the venue.

Front Row Positions

The seats right next to the competition area are of course extremely sought-after - but also, a bit risky.

During one recent bout, a tall wrestler fell into the spectators - perhaps making those in more affordable locations breathe a sigh of relief.

Behind the Scenes

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

The venue's management revealed they "needed to find 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.

Potential Issues

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

Its following among youth in Japan is also being competed with by alternative competitions, while Japan's falling birthrate will create further complications.

Worldwide Following

Not that any of this has troubled spectators in London.

"Seeing all this custom and formality that is part of sumo is quite special," one enthusiast notes. "Currently, observing 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 other fans.

"Emerging from a very niche online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans live and being able to speak to other people who are just as into this as we are - it was worth every penny."