Divisions of Professional Sumo
Professional sumo has six divisions, from highest to lowest:
Makuuchi (Top Division)
The premier division, featuring approximately 42 wrestlers. All named ranks (Yokozuna, Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi) exist only in Makuuchi. Makuuchi bouts are broadcast on NHK television and receive the most attention from fans and media.
Juryo (Second Division)
The second-highest division with 28 wrestlers. Juryo is the lowest division where wrestlers are considered sekitori (professional), meaning they receive a salary, have personal attendants, and can wear silk mawashi.
Makushita (Third Division)
Approximately 120 wrestlers compete in Makushita. They fight only 7 bouts per tournament (versus 15 for sekitori). The gap between Juryo and Makushita is enormous in terms of lifestyle — Makushita wrestlers serve as attendants to sekitori and receive only a small allowance.
Sandanme (Fourth Division)
Around 200 wrestlers. Conditions are similar to Makushita, with 7 bouts per tournament.
Jonidan (Fifth Division)
Around 200-250 wrestlers, many of them young recruits in their first years.
Jonokuchi (Sixth Division)
The entry-level division where new recruits begin. Only 7 bouts per tournament, and promotion comes quickly with winning records.
The dream of every young recruit is to climb from Jonokuchi to Makuuchi — a journey that takes years and that most never complete.