Learn the language
of the basho.
You do not need to memorize Japanese to follow sumo. Start with what a term means, then keep the traditional word close at hand.
Eight terms unlock most of the sport
Read these in order, or open the one you just saw on screen.
- 01 Professional sumo wrestlerRikishi 力士A professional sumo wrestler; on SumoNerd, this is the person whose rank, record, and bouts you follow.
- 02 Official ranking sheetBanzuke 番付The official hierarchy published before each tournament, listing every wrestler by division, rank, and East or West side.
- 03 Top divisionMakuuchi 幕内The highest of professional sumo's six divisions and the division shown most prominently on SumoNerd.
- 04 Winning techniqueKimarite 決まり手The official technique credited for deciding a bout, such as yorikiri, oshidashi, or uwatenage.
- 05 Winning recordKachi-koshi 勝ち越しMore wins than losses in a tournament—normally at least eight wins for a top-division wrestler.
- 06 Losing recordMake-koshi 負け越しMore losses than wins in a tournament—normally eight losses for a top-division wrestler.
- 07 Bout or daily match scheduleTorikumi 取組A sumo bout; the same word is also used for the day's arranged list of matchups.
- 08 Named championship ranksSanyaku 三役The upper named ranks above maegashira: komusubi, sekiwake, and ozeki; yokozuna is commonly grouped with them in modern usage.
Ranks & records
Read the banzuke and understand what each score changes.
Banzuke
The official hierarchy published before each tournament, listing every wrestler by division, rank, and East or West side.
Open term → Professional divisions階級Divisions of Professional Sumo
The six competitive levels from Makuuchi down to Jonokuchi.
Open term → Second division十両Juryo
The second-highest division and the lowest rank at which wrestlers receive full salaried sekitori status.
Open term → Ozeki at risk of demotion角番Kadoban
The status of an ozeki who must earn a winning record at the next tournament to avoid demotion.
Open term → Fourth-highest rank小結Komusubi
The lowest named rank above maegashira.
Open term → Rank-and-file top division前頭Maegashira
Makuuchi wrestlers below the named sanyaku ranks.
Open term → Third division幕下Makushita
The third division, directly below Juryo and therefore just outside salaried sekitori status.
Open term → Top division幕内Makuuchi
The highest of professional sumo's six divisions and the division shown most prominently on SumoNerd.
Open term → Champion大関Ozeki (Champion)
The second-highest rank, subject to the kadoban demotion system.
Open term → Named championship ranks三役Sanyaku
The upper named ranks above maegashira: komusubi, sekiwake, and ozeki; yokozuna is commonly grouped with them in modern usage.
Open term → Third-highest rank関脇Sekiwake
The rank below ozeki and above komusubi.
Open term → Grand champion横綱Yokozuna (Grand Champion)
The highest and permanent rank in professional sumo.
Open term →Bout & tournament rules
Follow the action, close calls, absences, and the championship race.
Fusensho
A win awarded without a bout because the scheduled opponent is absent.
Open term → Winning record勝ち越しKachi-koshi
More wins than losses in a tournament—normally at least eight wins for a top-division wrestler.
Open term → Gold star金星Kimboshi (Gold Star)
A Maegashira wrestler's regulation win over a yokozuna.
Open term → Absence from competition休場Kyujo
A wrestler's absence from one or more tournament bouts, usually because of injury or illness.
Open term → Losing record負け越しMake-koshi
More losses than wins in a tournament—normally eight losses for a top-division wrestler.
Open term → False start待ったMatta (False Start)
A stopped opening when the wrestlers do not begin in proper mutual readiness.
Open term → Judges' conference物言いMonoii (Judges' Deliberation)
A ringside judges' review of a referee's decision after a close finish.
Open term → Special prizes三賞Sansho (Special Prizes)
Three performance awards available to eligible Makuuchi wrestlers: technique, fighting spirit, and outstanding performance.
Open term → Initial charge立ち合いTachiai (Initial Charge)
The coordinated opening charge that starts a bout.
Open term → Bout or daily match schedule取組Torikumi
A sumo bout; the same word is also used for the day's arranged list of matchups.
Open term → Tournament championship優勝Yusho (Tournament Championship)
The championship awarded to the best record in a division at the end of a tournament.
Open term →Winning techniques
See how a bout ended, with the English meaning first.
Hatakikomi (Slap Down)
A wrestler moves aside and sends a charging opponent down with a slap or pull to the upper body.
Open term → Sidestep at the initial charge変化Henka
A quick sidestep at the tachiai that avoids an opponent's charge and redirects their momentum.
Open term → Hand pull down引き落としHikiotoshi (Hand Pull Down)
A wrestler pulls an opponent down by the arm, shoulder, or upper body.
Open term → Winning technique決まり手Kimarite
The official technique credited for deciding a bout, such as yorikiri, oshidashi, or uwatenage.
Open term → Rear push out送り出しOkuridashi (Rear Push Out)
A wrestler pushes the opponent out from behind.
Open term → Frontal push out押し出しOshidashi (Frontal Push Out)
A wrestler pushes the opponent out without maintaining a belt grip.
Open term → Underarm throw下手投げShitatenage (Underarm Throw)
A belt throw made with an inside, underarm grip.
Open term → Thrust down突き落としTsukiotoshi (Thrust Down)
A wrestler thrusts the opponent down while moving off the direct line of attack.
Open term → Overarm throw上手投げUwatenage (Overarm Throw)
A belt throw made with an outside, overarm grip.
Open term → Frontal force out寄り切りYorikiri (Frontal Force Out)
A wrestler maintains a belt grip and drives the opponent out of the ring.
Open term → Frontal crush out寄り倒しYoritaoshi (Frontal Crush Out)
A wrestler drives forward with a belt grip and topples the opponent at the edge.
Open term →People, places & traditions
The stable life, ceremonies, equipment, and language around the ring.
Basho (Tournament)
One of professional sumo's official 15-day grand tournaments.
Open term → Stable hot potちゃんこ鍋Chanko-nabe
A communal hot-pot dish closely associated with stable meals and wrestler nutrition.
Open term → Ring-entering ceremony土俵入りDohyo-iri
The formal ring-entering ceremony performed by top-division wrestlers; yokozuna perform a separate version.
Open term → Sumo ring土俵Dohyo (Ring)
The raised clay platform and straw-bale circle where bouts take place.
Open term → Referee行司Gyoji (Referee)
The elaborately dressed official who directs a bout and gives the first decision.
Open term → Sumo stable部屋Heya (Stable)
The training organization and community to which every professional wrestler belongs.
Open term → Sumo belt廻しMawashi (Belt)
The wrapped belt worn for training and competition and used for gripping in belt sumo.
Open term → Professional sumo wrestler力士Rikishi
A professional sumo wrestler; on SumoNerd, this is the person whose rank, record, and bouts you follow.
Open term → Salaried wrestler関取Sekitori
A wrestler ranked in Juryo or Makuuchi, with the salary and privileges of sumo's top two divisions.
Open term → Salt throwing塩撒きShio-maki (Salt Throwing)
The pre-bout purification ritual performed by wrestlers in the top two divisions.
Open term →