Understanding the World of Sumo Rankings
Professional sumo in Japan is governed by the Japan Sumo Association (JSA), and one of its most distinctive features is a rigid, merit-based ranking system called the banzuke. Updated after each of the six annual tournaments (honbasho), the banzuke determines who fights whom, how much wrestlers earn, and what privileges they enjoy. Understanding it unlocks a much deeper appreciation of the sport.
The Six Divisions
Professional sumo is divided into six divisions, listed from lowest to highest:
| Division | Japanese Name | Approx. Wrestlers |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Jonokuchi | ~40 |
| 5th | Jonidan | ~200 |
| 4th | Sandanme | ~150 |
| 3rd | Makushita | ~120 |
| 2nd | Juryo | ~28 |
| 1st | Makuuchi (Top Division) | 42 |
Wrestlers in the bottom four divisions are unpaid trainees. Reaching Juryo is a major milestone — it is when a rikishi officially becomes a sekitori, a full professional, and begins receiving a salary.
Inside the Makuuchi: The Top Division
The Makuuchi division is what most fans watch, and within it there is a further hierarchy of ranks:
- Maegashira: The bulk of the top division, numbered from Maegashira #1 (closest to the top) downward. The higher the number, the lower the rank.
- Komusubi: The entry point into the "sanyaku" (three ranks), usually two wrestlers per side (East and West).
- Sekiwake: The second-highest sanyaku rank. Wrestlers here are consistent performers expected to challenge for the title.
- Ozeki: The second-highest rank in all of sumo. Achieving Ozeki requires outstanding performance over multiple consecutive tournaments. Losing it requires two straight losing records (8 or more losses in 15 bouts).
- Yokozuna: The pinnacle of sumo. Once attained, a Yokozuna can never be demoted — but is expected to retire if performance declines. This makes the promotion decision incredibly serious.
How Promotion and Demotion Work
After each 15-day tournament, wrestlers receive a new rank based on their record. A kachi-koshi (more wins than losses, i.e., 8–7 or better) means promotion or rank maintenance. A make-koshi (more losses than wins) means demotion.
The size of the rank change depends on the margin of victory or defeat and the wrestler's current position. A dominant 12–3 record from a mid-Maegashira rank, for instance, can catapult a wrestler into the sanyaku. The JSA's banzuke committee makes the final call, and their decisions carry an element of art as well as arithmetic.
The Path to Yokozuna
No path in Japanese sports is more demanding than the road to Yokozuna. Generally, a wrestler must:
- Hold the rank of Ozeki.
- Win consecutive tournament championships (or an equivalent extraordinary performance).
- Demonstrate the dignity and character befitting the rank — a concept called hinkaku.
The Yokozuna Deliberation Council reviews candidates and makes a recommendation to the JSA. There is no fixed quota — if no one meets the standard, no one is promoted, sometimes for years at a time.
Why the Banzuke Matters
The banzuke is published on large decorative sheets in a traditional calligraphy style that has changed little in centuries. It is both a sporting document and a piece of living cultural heritage. For fans, reading the banzuke — seeing who rose, who fell, who holds their ground — is part of the ritual joy of following sumo throughout the year.