Hello Kitty named official ambassador for historic Grand Sumo Tournament in London

Sanrio has announced that its global icon Hello Kitty will serve as the official ambassador for the upcoming “Grand Sumo Tournament” in London.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, the 2nd of September, at a special “Departure Ceremony” held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo hall in Tokyo, where Hello Kitty appeared alongside the current Yokozuna, Hoshoryu.

The Grand Sumo Tournament in London is a major cultural event, marking the first time in 34 years that the traditional Japanese sport will be officially showcased in the United Kingdom.

Hello Kitty’s appointment as ambassador is a fitting “homecoming” for the character, as her official biography states that she was born in the suburbs of London.

In her role as ambassador, Hello Kitty will help to introduce the traditional culture of Japan to the people of London.

She is scheduled to participate in special events for children and will also host a special exhibition at the venue, which will showcase collaborations between Hello Kitty and traditional Japanese crafts.

As part of Sanrio’s “Nakayoku Project” social contribution initiative, she is also scheduled to visit various hospitals and other facilities in the UK to interact with local children.

In a message to her fans, Hello Kitty said, “I’m a little nervous about this new challenge, but I would be so happy if I can make friends with lots of new people!”

Yokozuna Hoshoryu, who also appeared at the ceremony, stated, “This is my first time participating in an overseas tour, so I am very happy and looking forward to it. I want to take this opportunity to let everyone in London know about Grand Sumo.”

The “Grand Sumo Tournament” will be held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London. The five-day event is scheduled to run from Wednesday, the 15th of October, to Sunday, the 19th of October, 2025.