Glossary of sumo terms

The highest rank in sumo, held for life. Yokozuna are promoted only on the recommendation of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, conventionally after winning two consecutive top-division championships (or putting together an equivalent record). A yokozuna can never be demoted; one who can no longer perform to the rank's standard is expected to retire.

Sources: Wikipedia - Yokozuna · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The second-highest rank, and the highest a wrestler can reach on results alone. Promotion usually requires roughly 33 wins across three consecutive tournaments at san'yaku level. An ōzeki who posts a losing record becomes 'kadoban' and must record a winning tournament immediately to avoid demotion.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The third-highest rank and the senior of the two 'junior champion' titles, above komusubi. A sustained run of strong records at sekiwake is the usual springboard for an ōzeki promotion bid.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The fourth-highest rank and the most junior of the titled (san'yaku) ranks. Komusubi face a punishing opening schedule against the yokozuna and ōzeki, which makes the rank notoriously difficult to hold for more than a tournament or two.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The rank-and-file of the top division, below the four titled ranks. Maegashira are numbered from 1 down to around 17, each with an East (higher) and West side. A maegashira who beats a reigning yokozuna earns a kinboshi.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The second division, just below makuuchi. It is the lowest division of 'sekitori' - salaried wrestlers who are given attendants and wear ceremonial aprons. Reaching jūryō, and then makuuchi, are the milestones that mark a wrestler as a full professional.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The third division, just below jūryō. Makushita wrestlers are unsalaried and fight only 7 bouts per tournament rather than 15. Its upper ranks ('makushita joi') are some of the most fiercely contested in sumo, one strong tournament away from jūryō and full sekitori status.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The fourth of sumo's six divisions, below makushita and above jōnidan. Like every division below jūryō, sandanme wrestlers are unsalaried and fight 7 bouts per 15-day tournament rather than 15.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The fifth of sumo's six divisions, below sandanme and above jonokuchi. It is usually the largest division by number of wrestlers, many of them recent recruits working their way up.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The lowest of sumo's six divisions. New recruits typically begin their careers here (after an initial maezumō trial period) and work up through the ranks from this point.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The top division, made up of the 42 highest-ranked wrestlers across five ranks: yokozuna, ōzeki, sekiwake, komusubi and maegashira. Makuuchi bouts close out each day of a tournament, and the division champion lifts the Emperor's Cup.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The collective name for the titled ranks at the top of makuuchi - yokozuna, ōzeki, sekiwake and komusubi. In some usages it refers specifically to sekiwake and komusubi, since yokozuna and ōzeki are champion ranks standing above them.

Sources: Wikipedia - Makuuchi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The official ranking sheet listing every wrestler for an upcoming tournament, hand-brushed in a distinctive calligraphic script. It is redrawn after each tournament to reflect results and released about 13 days before the next one begins.

Sources: Wikipedia - Banzuke · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A 15-day grand tournament. Six are held each year: Hatsu (January, Tokyo), Haru (March, Osaka), Natsu (May, Tokyo), Nagoya (July), Aki (September, Tokyo) and Kyūshū (November, Fukuoka). Wrestlers in the top two divisions fight once each day.

Sources: Wikipedia - Honbasho · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

An official grand tournament whose results decide promotion and demotion - the same event fans simply call a basho. Only the six honbasho count toward the rankings; exhibition tours (jungyō) do not.

Sources: Wikipedia - Honbasho · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A majority of wins - at least 8 in a 15-day tournament. Kachi-koshi secures promotion or, at minimum, protects a wrestler from demotion, and is the basic yardstick of a successful tournament.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

A majority of losses -8 or more in a 15-day tournament. A make-koshi record usually means demotion on the next banzuke; for an ōzeki it triggers 'kadoban' status, putting the rank at risk.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The tournament championship, won by the wrestler with the most victories after 15 days. Ties are settled by a play-off on the final day, and the makuuchi yūshō winner receives the Emperor's Cup.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The fifteenth and final day of a tournament. It stages the highest-ranked bouts last, and any championship play-offs are held after the regular card finishes.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

Absence from a tournament, normally because of injury. Each day missed is recorded as a loss, and any scheduled opponent receives a fusen (default) win. Extended kyūjō leads to demotion.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A bout decided by default rather than wrestling: 'fusenshō' (a default win) and 'fusenpai' (a default loss), awarded when a scheduled wrestler is absent.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A 'gold star' awarded when a maegashira defeats a reigning yokozuna. Beyond the upset, it permanently raises the wrestler's mochikyū-kin (career pay bonus), adding roughly ¥40,000 to every future tournament's pay for the rest of their career as a sekitori.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kinboshi · Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

Prize money attached to sponsored bouts. Sponsors pay to parade banners around the ring before a featured match; the winner is handed envelopes of cash, though the JSA withholds part of each prize for taxes and a retirement-savings hold-back.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

A career-cumulative pay bonus that ratchets up with every official win (and with each kinboshi), then pays out every tournament. It rewards longevity and consistency across an entire career.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The Emperor's Cup: a silver trophy weighing about 29 kg, presented to the makuuchi tournament champion. In continuous use since 1925, it is the sport's most prestigious prize.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The three special prizes given to non-champion makuuchi wrestlers at the end of a tournament: the Outstanding Performance, Fighting Spirit and Technique prizes. A wrestler must finish with a winning record to be eligible.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The Outstanding Performance Prize, awarded for the tournament's most impressive showing - typically a wrestler who beats the champion or a yokozuna, or who mounts a surprise title challenge.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The Fighting Spirit Prize, recognising sustained effort and a strong win total - often given to a lower-ranked wrestler who exceeds expectations across the 15 days.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The Technique Prize, awarded for skilful, varied or innovative winning techniques rather than raw power.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The explosive initial charge that begins every bout. Both wrestlers must crouch behind their lines, touch both fists to the clay, and launch at the same moment. The timing and impact of the tachi-ai often decides the match.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The pre-bout preparation: wrestlers squat, face off, throw purifying salt and repeatedly crouch to the lines. In the top division this ritual can run up to four minutes before the charge.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A sidestep at the tachi-ai to dodge the opponent's charge. It is perfectly legal and can win instantly, but is frowned upon from higher-ranked wrestlers, who are expected to meet their opponent head-on.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The raised ring of packed clay topped with sand where bouts take place - about 4.55 m across, inside a circle of rice-straw bales (tawara). It is rebuilt for every tournament and treated as sacred ground, with women traditionally not permitted to enter it.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The suspended roof above the ring, styled after a Shintō shrine. Four giant tassels (fusa) in green, red, white and black hang from its corners, representing the four seasons and the directional guardian gods.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The heavy silk or cotton belt worn for competition, several metres long and wound around the waist and groin. Grips on the opponent's mawashi are at the heart of belt-fighting (yotsu) sumo.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A wrestler's ring name, usually bestowed by their stablemaster and rich in meaning or stable lineage. A wrestler may change shikona during their career, sometimes to mark a major promotion.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The training stable where wrestlers live, train and eat communally under a stablemaster (oyakata). Wrestlers from the same heya do not normally face one another in tournaments.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The English term for a heya - the household-school where rikishi train and live under their oyakata.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A wrestler's official place of origin - their hometown or country - announced before bouts and recorded on the banzuke.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

Belt-fighting sumo, in which both wrestlers secure grips on each other's mawashi and contest with throws and force-outs - the opposite approach to pushing and thrusting.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

Pushing-and-thrusting sumo, won by driving the opponent out or down without gripping the belt. Wrestlers who prefer it are known as oshi-zumō specialists.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A belt grip with the right arm inside the opponent's left - a fundamental grappling position that sets up many wrestlers' favourite throws.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

A belt grip with the left arm inside the opponent's right - the mirror image of migi-yotsu.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

Frontal force-out: keeping a grip on the opponent's mawashi and walking them straight out over the straw bales. It decides roughly a third of all professional bouts, more than any other technique.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal crush-out: like a force-out, but forward pressure drives the opponent down so they fall out of or onto the ring rather than stepping out upright.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal push-out: driving the opponent out of the ring by pushing at the torso or under the arms, without taking a mawashi grip.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal push-down: pushing the opponent down onto the clay rather than out of the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal thrust-out: a burst of sharp open-hand thrusts to the chest or face that forces the opponent out without any sustained contact.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal thrust-down: like a thrust-out, but the opponent is knocked down rather than pushed out upright.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward force-down: a rarely seen basic technique that pins the opponent down back-first by leaning forward onto them while locked up.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Inside leg trip: hooking the calf around the inside of the opponent's leg and driving them over backwards.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Outside leg trip: hooking the calf around the outside of the opponent's leg and forcing them over backwards.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Pulling heel hook: catching the opponent's heel with your own and pulling, toppling them backwards off balance.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Hooking backward counter throw: wrapping a leg around the opponent's opposite leg and falling backwards while clinging to their upper body.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Minor inner foot sweep: kicking the inside of the opponent's foot and pulling sharply so they lose balance and fall — the technique that decided Day 8 of this basho.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Pulling inside ankle sweep: right off the initial charge, kicking the opponent's legs out to the side and twisting or thrusting them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Twisting backward knee trip: placing a leg behind the opponent's knee and sweeping them over it while twisting them backwards.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Over-thigh scooping body drop: as the opponent puts a leg out to steady themselves, scooping under that thigh and lifting it to drop them.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Ankle pick: lifting the opponent's ankle from the front so they lose their base and fall.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Triple attack: hooking one leg, grabbing the other thigh and driving the head into the chest all at once to lift and topple the opponent — one of the rarest techniques, seen only a handful of times in the top division.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Ankle-kicking twist down: kicking the outside of an off-balance opponent's standing foot and throwing them to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Thigh-scooping body drop: when the opponent escapes a scoop by extending the other leg, switching to lift that leg instead and dropping them.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Outer thigh-scooping body drop: after a throw is avoided, grabbing the outside of the opponent's thigh, lifting it and dropping them onto their back.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear foot sweep: after the opponent avoids a throw, driving a knee under their thigh and pulling them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Toe pick: after a throw is avoided, grabbing the opponent's ankle and pulling them down to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear ankle pick: as the opponent tips forward, grabbing a leg and pulling it back so they fall.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Leg pick: scooping up one of the opponent's legs so they lose balance, then forcing them out.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Thigh-grabbing push-down: grabbing under the opponent's thigh or knee with one hand while pushing with the other arm to force them out or down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Overarm throw: gripping the mawashi with the arm reaching over the opponent's arm, then turning and throwing them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Underarm throw: gripping the mawashi with the arm passing under the opponent's, then turning and pulling them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Pulling overarm throw: with an outside grip, dragging the opponent forward and down rather than throwing across the body.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Pulling underarm throw: with an inside grip, pulling the opponent forward and down past you.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Armlock throw: clamping the opponent's extended arm against your body and throwing them with it, taking no mawashi grip.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Beltless arm throw: wrapping an arm under the opponent's armpit and across the back, turning and throwing them without a mawashi grip.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Hip throw: bending and loading the opponent across your hip, then throwing them down onto their back.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Headlock throw: wrapping the opponent's head or neck in the arms and throwing them down with it.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Hooking throw: lifting the opponent's thigh with your leg while holding them with both arms, then throwing the off-balance body down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Lifting throw: grabbing the mawashi, lifting the opponent clear of the clay and throwing them down past you.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward belt throw: reaching over the opponent's back for the mawashi and pulling them over in front of or beside you.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

One-armed shoulder throw: a rare, judo-like move that flips the opponent over the shoulder using one of their arms.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Body-drop throw: sweeping both of the opponent's legs off the clay by extending a leg around the outside of their knee, throwing them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Inner-thigh throw: with both wrestlers gripping mawashi, driving a knee up under the opponent's groin to lift and throw them onto their side.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Thrust-down: forcing the opponent's upper body off its centre of gravity with a sharp side or diagonal thrust, twisting them down to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Under-shoulder swing-down: wrapping the opponent's arm and pulling down on their shoulder to swing them off balance and down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Head-twisting throw: twisting the opponent's head or neck to spin them down to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Forward force-down: gripping the mawashi and pulling out and down to buckle the opponent's knees to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Twist-down: reacting to the opponent's movement to twist their off-balance body down without taking a mawashi grip.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Arm-bar throw: wrapping both arms around the opponent's extended arm and forcing them forward and down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Counter to the arm-bar throw: turning a tottari attempt back on the attacker by seizing the wrist and twisting them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Arm-locking twist-down: twisting the opponent's trapped arm downward until they fall.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Two-handed arm twist-down: wrapping both arms around the opponent's extended arm and forcing them down over the shoulder.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Twisting overarm throw: taking an outside mawashi grip and twisting it down until the opponent falls or touches down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Twisting underarm throw: taking an inside mawashi grip and twisting it down until the opponent falls or touches a knee down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Head-pivot throw: using the head as a lever to thrust the opponent down during a twisting motion.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Fisherman's throw: pulling the opponent's arm forward with both hands so they topple forward, named for the motion of casting a fishing net.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Clasped-hand twist-down: clasping both hands around the opponent's back and twisting them over sideways.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward twisting overarm throw: taking the opponent's over-extended arm and twisting it down while throwing the body the same way.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Two-handed head twist-down: grasping the opponent's head or neck with both hands and twisting them down to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Outer thigh-propping twist-down: grabbing the outside of the opponent's knee and twisting them over your own knee.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Inner thigh-propping twist-down: grabbing the inside of the opponent's knee and twisting them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward body drop: diving under the opponent's charge, grabbing behind their knees or mawashi and pulling them up and over backwards.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Hooking backward body drop: ducking under the opponent's extended arm and forcing them backwards over your legs.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Bell-hammer backward body drop: loading the opponent across the shoulders and throwing yourself backwards so they land first, named for the shape of a temple-bell hammer.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Reverse backward body drop: with one arm around the opponent's arm and one around a leg, lifting them across the shoulders and throwing them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Outer reverse backward body drop: a tasukizori variant that lifts and throws the opponent sideways and backwards.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Underarm forward body drop: shifting the opponent's extended arm and twisting them behind your back and down — a signature of Ura, who owns most of its top-division wins.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Slap-down: slapping the opponent's shoulder, back or arm so they pitch forward onto the clay, often punishing an over-committed charge.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Hand pull-down: pulling the opponent's shoulder, arm or mawashi so they fall forward to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Arm-grabbing force-out: seizing the opponent's arm with both hands and pulling them past you and out of the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Arm-barring force-out: locking up the opponent's arms and shoulders and forcing them out without a mawashi grip.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Arm-barring force-down: locking up the opponent's arms and shoulders and forcing them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear push-out: getting behind an off-balance opponent and pushing them out of the ring from behind.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear push-down: knocking the opponent down from behind.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear throw-down: throwing the opponent down from behind.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear leg trip: tripping the opponent's ankle from behind.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear pull-down: pulling the opponent down from behind.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear lift-out: picking the opponent up by the mawashi from behind and carrying them out of the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Rear lifting body slam: picking the opponent up by the mawashi from behind and slamming them down in the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Head chop-down: chopping down on the back of the opponent's neck to drive them to the clay.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal lift-out: gripping the mawashi and lifting the opponent bodily off the clay to carry them out of the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Frontal lifting body slam: lifting the opponent by the mawashi and slamming them straight down in the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward lean-out: with the opponent behind you, backing up and leaning into them to push them out of the ring.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Backward pivot throw: at the very edge of the ring, arching backwards and twisting the opponent out or down before you step out — a spectacular last-ditch reversal.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Upper-arm force-out: extending an arm across the opponent's body and forcing a foot out from the side.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

Pulling body slam: baiting the opponent's forward reaction, then wrapping the waist and throwing them down.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A non-technique result: the opponent inadvertently steps out of the ring while attacking, before any technique is applied. One of five recognised non-technique outcomes.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A non-technique result: the opponent accidentally steps backwards out of the ring with no attack made against them.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A non-technique result: the opponent falls over backwards without a technique being applied, usually from over-committing to an attack.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A non-technique result: the opponent stumbles and puts a knee to the clay without meaningful prior contact from the winner.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A non-technique result: the opponent stumbles and puts a hand to the clay without meaningful prior contact from the winner.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite

A sumo wrestler; the word literally means 'strong man'. Salaried wrestlers in the top two divisions are also called sekitori.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The schedule of bouts for a tournament day, decided a day or two in advance by the judging department rather than fixed in a bracket at the start.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms

The officially recognised technique that decides a bout. The Japan Sumo Association recognises 82 kimarite, plus five non-technique outcomes, and the result is announced by the ring announcer after each win.

Sources: Wikipedia - Kimarite · Japan Sumo Association (English)

The kimono-clad referee who officiates the bout, calls the action and signals the winner with a war-fan (gunbai). Gyōji advance through their own ranking system that mirrors the wrestlers'.

Sources: Wikipedia - Glossary of sumo terms · Japan Sumo Association (English)