Sansho: Special Prizes
The sansho (三賞, "three prizes") are special awards given to Makuuchi wrestlers who demonstrate outstanding performance during a tournament but do not win the yusho. The three prizes are:
Shukun-sho (Outstanding Performance Prize)
Awarded for an outstanding result, often including a major upset or a performance that shaped the championship race.
Kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Prize)
Awarded for a strong, committed tournament performance. It often recognizes a wrestler who stayed in contention or produced an unusually good record.
Gino-sho (Technique Prize)
Awarded for demonstrating superior technical skill and a diverse repertoire of winning techniques during the tournament.
A wrestler can receive more than one special prize at the same tournament. A prize may also go unawarded when the selection committee decides that no performance meets its standard.
The awards are decided near the end of the tournament, and some may be conditional on a wrestler winning the final bout. A wrestler can receive more than one prize at the same basho.