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Not many athletic disciplines can hold spectators spellbound through an extended period of ritual before the opening contest is even contested.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a traditional dohyō - virtually unchanged for hundreds of years - succeeded in doing so.

Discover the Major Sumo Competition

This week-long competition at the Royal Albert Hall features numerous elite rikishi showcasing a sport whose first mention dates back to ancient times.

London's renowned auditorium has been totally redesigned, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the competition area.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Modern Technology

It is here the athletes, known as rikishi, perform their leg stomps to expel negative energies, and where they clap to attract the deities.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a giant, revolving LED screen - which wouldn't look out of place at an NBA match - offers the spectators all the stats and replays they could want.

Global Fans Find Sumo

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

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, rising before dawn to train, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an midday rest - all in the service of increasing mass.

Hailing from Scotland, Another Perspective

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a established path: a visit to the country six years ago.

"We saw it as a very touristy activity, but we actually ended up loving the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"Subsequently, we tried to find communities, information, just to expand our knowledge about it," the other fan explains.

Unique Chance

Traveling to Asia is almost the only way to see a elite competition.

This London competition marks only the second time the tournament has appeared in the capital - the first time was in the early nineties.

Even going to Japan isn't a guarantee of securing tickets, with current times seeing fully attended competitions.

First-Hand Experience

For numerous spectators, 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 strength which you don't get on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their stature is remarkable."

The Matches

To win the match, one wrestler needs to move the other man out of the ring or to the surface using raw power.

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

Either way, the noise of the two wrestlers colliding in the first moment of the match echoes around the auditorium.

Front Row Positions

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

During one particular match, a 191cm wrestler fell into the spectators - perhaps making those in less expensive positions breathe a sigh of relief.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the size of the athletes is one of the primary elements most people think of when they think of sumo.

The hall's organizers revealed they "had to source and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight."

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

Coming Obstacles

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

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

Global Community

Not that any of this has troubled spectators in London.

"Witnessing these custom and formality that accompanies sumo is especially significant," fan Sian says. "Now, seeing it in person, you sense that you are more engaged."

For other dedicated followers, the excitement "made it so incredible" - as did interacting with the other fans.

"Getting out of a particularly focused online community and being able to see all these sumo fans in person and being able to speak to other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."