Sumo organisers forced to reinforce toilets and buy bigger chairs for UK tournament

Planners for the UK’s sumo tournament, which is taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, have spoken about the organising that’s gone into the event

Planners for the UK’s sumo tournament have had to reinforce the toilets and buy bigger chairs. The wrestling event is taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall this week – only the second time a full competition is held overseas.

Commuters have been left baffled by the sight of the world’s best sumo wrestlers strolling the streets of the capital engaging in some sightseeing. And Matthew Todd, the venue’s director of programming, revealed the loos have been strengthened to cope with hefty wrestlers.

He said: “It’s the ones that are screwed into the wall which are the most challenging. We’ve actually had to source and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight. Our usual standard is only 100kg.”

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The Grand Sumo Tournament involves 40 wrestlers who have flown over from Japan to compete in it. That amounts to around six tons of athletes needing fed, watered and transported.

Mr Todd said the rice bill is “substantial” and added: “I know the wholesaler actually ran out of noodles, because we’d already ordered so many from them.” He also said they’ve had to take out special insurance because “the jeopardy of having a ringside cushion is fairly substantial”.

For most of the wrestlers, this is their first visit to London and they have been exploring the city. Locals have been left puzzled seeing them sight-seeing at tourist hot spots like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament in their traditional gowns.

Some have also been spotted downing pints of Guinness, scoffing McDonalds and shopping in High Street store TK Maxx in Kensington, west London, near to the venue.

But fans of the sport are being warned not to get squashed if they take front row seats at the tournament. Organisers said that the risk is theirs alone if they sit at the front.

The Royal Albert Hall website said: “The tournament will be presented in the traditional style without barriers between the ring and these seats. It is possible that wrestlers may fall or be thrown from the ring into the ringside area as part of the competition.

“We advise that ringside cushions may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, and customers accept that any use of these seats is entirely at their own risk. Food and/or beverages will not be allowed in the ringside, please be aware that sand or salt may occasionally be thrown from the ring.”

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