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

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

Welcome to the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This multi-day tournament at the iconic London venue features numerous elite sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to ancient times.

London's Victorian concert venue 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 sumo professionals, perform their foot stomping to drive away dark forces, and where they clap to attract the gods.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a enormous circular monitor - which wouldn't look out of place at an NBA match - offers the audience all the statistics and footage they could want.

International Enthusiasts Embrace Sumo

For one dedicated fan, it was a "chance online clip" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was rapidly enhanced by the discovery of dedicated YouTube channels for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, waking up early to practice, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an afternoon nap - all in the pursuit of gaining weight.

From Edinburgh, Different Experience

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a more traditional route: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We approached it as a typical visitor experience, but we actually ended up loving the sport," explains the fan.

"From there on, we tried to locate groups, information, just to expand our knowledge about it," the other fan explains.

Special Event

Traveling to Asia is almost the only way to see a major championship.

This London competition marks only the second instance the tournament has visited the city - the initial occasion was in the early nineties.

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

Live Observation

For multiple fans, the UK competition represents the initial opportunity they have experienced the sport directly - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Watching nearby, you get a understanding of quickness and the strength which you don't get on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their size is impressive."

The Bouts

To win the match, one competitor needs to push another from the dohyō or to the floor using physical force.

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

Either way, the noise of the two wrestlers colliding in the opening second of the match echoes around the auditorium.

Front Row Positions

The seats right next to the dohyō are of course greatly valued - but also, potentially hazardous.

During one specific contest, a tall wrestler went plummeting into the audience - perhaps making those in more affordable locations breathe a sigh of relief.

Internal Challenges

Of course, the dimensions of the wrestlers is one of the initial aspects most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The facility's operators revealed they "were required to locate and buy new chairs which can withstand 200kg in weight."

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

Coming Obstacles

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

Its popularity among the younger generation is also being challenged by alternative competitions, while Japan's falling birthrate will present additional challenges.

Global Community

Not that any of this has troubled spectators in London.

"Witnessing these custom and formality that goes with sumo is particularly meaningful," fan Sian says. "Currently, observing it live, you sense that you are more involved."

For other committed supporters, the drama "made it so incredible" - as did encountering the fellow enthusiasts.

"Emerging from a highly specialized online community and being able to see all these sumo fans directly and being able to chat with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."