A Basic Glossary

For more details see here.


Sanyaku [Syk]: a summary term for the four championship ranks: Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi.

Yokozuna [Y]: Grand Champion. The highest Sanyaku rank, earned for life.
Dai-Yokozuna [Dai-Y]: a particularly distinguished Yokozuna.
Active Yokozuna [Y(a)]: a Yokozuna with strong results over the past year (typically at least one Grand Slam semifinal or two quarterfinals).
Inactive Yokozuna [Y(ia)]: a Yokozuna without strong results over the past year.

Ozeki [O]: Champion. Second highest Sanyaku rank, enjoys limited rank protection.
Kadoban Ozeki [O(k)]: an Ozeki who failed to reach the quarterfinals at the last Grand Slam tournament, and hence would be demoted to Sekiwake if he failed to reach the quarterfinals again.

Sekiwake [S]: Junior Champion I. Third highest Sanyaku rank.
Sekiwake-Ozeki [S(o)]: a Sekiwake who just got demoted from Ozeki. A semifinal participation in the following tournament would get him or her back up to Ozeki.

Komusubi [K]: Junior Champion II. Fourth highest (and therefore lowest) Sanyaku rank.

Maegashira [M]: non-Sanyaku ranked player.

Kachikochi [kk]: positive GS tournament outcome, equivalent to reaching the quarterfinals. Minimum requirement to defend a Sanyaku rank without rank protection.
Makekochi [mk]: negative GS tournament outcome, equivalent to missing the quarterfinals. Triggers demotion from a Sanyaku rank without rank protection.

Kinboshi: "gold star", a special prize awarded to a Maegashira-ranked player who beats an active Yokozuna.