KYODO NEWS - Jul 11, 2017 - 11:40 | Sports, All

Between July 9 and 23, the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament was held in Nagoya, central Japan.

The meet was held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, and saw four grand champions and three ozeki face off for the first time since the spring meet in 2000.

Kyodo News photographers sought to capture some of the more eye-catching moments before and during the competition.

GALLERY: Scenes of sumo - Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Part 2

GALLERY: Scenes of sumo - Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, Part 3

A group of sumo wrestlers arrived by shinkansen bullet train at Nagoya station in late June ahead of the tournament.

These young wrestlers were seen during a practice session in Seto city, Aichi Prefecture, ahead of the start of the event.

Seen at the Miyagino stable's lodge, these wrestlers were seen lining up to circle the ring as part of training in the run-up to the tournament.

Takayasu, who was recently promoted to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki, gazes at the mirror during a practice session.

Sumo wrestlers' topknots are pictured as they attend a Shinto ceremony in front of the dohyo ring at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.

The ceremony is held the day before the start of each 15-day tournament to pray for its safety and for the peace and security of the nation, according to the Japan Sumo Association.

Terutsuyoshi sprinkles salt on the dohyo ring ahead of a bout on the first day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Yokozuna Kisenosato sweats while having his hair coiffured after defeating Takakeisho on the second day of the tournament.

Takayasu (L) and Ikioi glare at each other during a bout on the competition's second day.

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