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Only a handful of competitions can keep viewers enthralled through 45 minutes of ceremony before the initial score is even determined.

Yet the intricate traditions unfolding in a traditional dohyō - mostly preserved for generations - accomplished exactly that.

Experience the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This five-day event at the Royal Albert Hall features four dozen top-tier sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to the first century BC.

London's historic performance space has been completely reimagined, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the competition area.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Current Innovations

It is here the wrestlers, known as rikishi, perform their shiko exercises to banish dark forces, and where they applaud to summon the deities.

Above all this historical practice, a massive rotating display - that appears natural at an professional sports event - offers the spectators all the stats and replays they could want.

Global Fans Embrace Sumo

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

This was quickly followed by the discovery of dedicated YouTube channels for training facilities, where competitors stay and exercise, waking up early to work out, followed by a high protein stew and then an afternoon nap - all in the effort toward gaining weight.

From Edinburgh, Another Perspective

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a conventional method: a visit to the country six years ago.

"We approached it as a typical visitor experience, but we actually came to adore the sport," explains the fan.

"After that, we tried to discover networks, materials, just to expand our knowledge about it," the other fan explains.

Rare Opportunity

Traveling to Asia is almost the only way to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This week's event marks only the second instance the tournament has come to London - the initial occasion was in 1991.

Even visiting the country isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with recent years seeing sold-out events.

First-Hand Experience

For numerous spectators, the current event represents the first time they have experienced the sport directly - and it lives up to the hype.

"Watching nearby, you get a sense of the speed and the power which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "Their stature is remarkable."

The Bouts

To achieve victory, one wrestler needs to force his opponent off the clay or to the ground using physical force.

The most use one of dual approaches to accomplish this, often in split seconds - pushing, or grappling.

Either way, the noise of the two rikishi meeting in the initial contact of the match reverberates around the hall.

Prime Locations

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

During one particular match, a large wrestler fell into the audience - perhaps making those in more affordable locations feel relieved.

Internal Challenges

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

The venue's management revealed they "needed to find and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its sell-out events - is not without its challenges behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the demanding existence of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as desirable as it once might have.

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

Worldwide Following

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Seeing all this ritual and ceremony that goes with sumo is quite special," fan Sian says. "Today, watching it in person, you feel like you are more involved."

For other enthusiastic fans, the intensity "produced unforgettable moments" - as did encountering the other fans.

"Getting out of a particularly focused online community and being able to see all these sumo fans live and being able to chat with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was worth every penny."