Ozeki under pressure
An Ozeki becomes kadoban after finishing a tournament with a losing record. At the next tournament, a winning record clears the status. A second consecutive losing record causes demotion to Sekiwake.
There is one immediate route back. A newly demoted former Ozeki who wins at least ten bouts in the following tournament is restored to Ozeki. If that target is missed, any later return requires a new promotion case rather than a special shortcut.
Kadoban is not the same as the ordinary promotion and demotion system at lower ranks. It gives an Ozeki one tournament to recover, which is why the eighth win can carry unusual importance late in the basho.