Yusho: Tournament Championship
The yusho (優勝) is the championship awarded to the best record in a division at the end of a tournament. In Makuuchi and Juryo, that normally means comparing 15-bout records.
If two or more wrestlers are tied for the lead after Day 15, a playoff (kettei-sen) is held. In a two-way tie, the wrestlers face each other directly. In a three-way or larger tie, a round-robin or elimination format is used.
The Makuuchi winner receives the Emperor's Cup and takes part in the closing presentation ceremony. Other trophies and sponsored awards are also presented, so the ceremony lasts well beyond the final scheduled bout.
A wrestler's yusho count is a key measure of career greatness. Hakuho holds the all-time record with 45 tournament championships. Winning consecutive yusho (renzoku yusho) is the traditional benchmark for yokozuna promotion.