| Performance Notes | The Grand Sumo Tournament took place at the Hall between Wednesday 9 October - Sunday 13 October 1991, as part of the Japan Festival. It was the first Sumo wrestling tournament ever to be staged outside Japan in the sport's 1500 year history. The correct clay for the sacred dohyo (wrestling ring) was tracked down to a quarry near Heathrow, while a huge drum and the ceremonial canopy, the yakata, were shipped in from Japan. The top 40 rikishi (wrestlers) competed, including the two yokozuma (grand champions) - Asahifuji and Hokutuomi. But the main attraction was Hawaiian Konishiki, the heaviest sumo wrestler ever, nicknamed the Dump Truck, weighing in at 37.5 stone (238.25 kg). The Hall had to have the backstage lavatories weight-tested, chairs reinforced and extra large showers fitted. The most expensive seats for Sumo were cushions on the floor around the dohyo. A ringside commentary explained the rules and meaning behind the ceremony, the matches being full of fun and good humour. |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1991/141),
Photographs (RAHE/3/1990/9)
Poster (RAHE/2/1991/),
Set (Ring Broom, Rice Straw Ring Bale, Audience Floor Cushions),
Memorabilia (Finger-Puppet, Japan Festival Book),
Transparencies (RAHE/3/12/8) |