Ōzeki

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Ozeki (大関, ōzeki^?) is the title of a ranking given to sumo wrestlers.

The Ōzeki, or champion rank, is immediately below Yokozuna, which is the pinnacle of the sumo ranking system. Until the yokozuna rank was introduced, Ōzeki was the highest rank in sumo.

1 Promotion to Ozeki
2 Relegation from Ozeki
3 Benefits of being an Ozeki
4 List of active Ozeki

[edit] Promotion to Ozeki

The promotion of a rikishi to ozeki is a multi tournament process. It starts when a rikishi is at the rank of sekiwake or komusubi. From that point, the rikishi needs to win approximately 33 bouts or more over three consecutive basho to be considered for the promotion to the rank of ōzeki. Usually a record of at least 11-4 in the tournament immediately preceding promotion is also required. The quality of his sumo can also be taken into account - a wrestler who wins using certain dodging techniques at the beginning of a bout may be penalised for this behaviour, which is deemed to be not in keeping with the dignity of the top two ranks. Given the high standard required for promotion, compared to the lower ranks, it is appropriate that the name literally means "the great barrier".

Promotions are recommended by the Judging Division to the Board of Directors of the Japan Sumo Association. If it is a first promotion to the rank a member of the Board of Directors will formally visit the stable to inform the new Ozeki of his promotion. The Ozeki will usually make a speech on this occasion promising to do his best to uphold the dignity of the rank.

[edit] Relegation from Ozeki

Like the other sanyaku ranks, but unlike a yokozuna, an ōzeki may be relegated. For an ōzeki, relegation is a two-step procedure. First, the ōzeki must lose more bouts than he wins in a tournament; losing a majority of bouts is called makekoshi. At this point, the ōzeki is called kadoban. If he wins a majority of bouts in the next tournament (which is called kachikoshi), he is restored to regular ōzeki status. If, on the other hand, he loses a majority of bouts while kadoban, he is relegated to sekiwake.

In the tournament immediately following his relegation from ōzeki, if a wrestler wins ten or more bouts, he is immediately restored to ōzeki status. However, if he fails to win ten or more matches, he is treated just like any other wrestler in his attempts to being (re-)promoted to ōzeki. This system has been in place since the Nagoya Tournament of 1969.

[edit] Benefits of being an Ozeki

In addition to a salary increase there are a number of perks associated with reaching Ozeki rank:

He is guaranteed a higher rank in the Sumo Association when he first retires
He will be given a three year temporary membership of the Sumo Association on his retirement if he does not yet own a share.
He will receive a special merit payment on his retirement (the amount decided by his strength and longevity as an Ozeki)
He has a parking space in the Sumo Association headquarters
He can vote in the election of the Sumo Association Directors
Normally he will receive additional support from his stable in terms of junior wrestlers to act as his manservants.
He can wear purple fringed ceremonial aprons (kesho-mawashi)
An Ozeki can normally act as a dewsweeper or swordbearer for a yokozuna ring entrance ceremony.
He may be called on to represent the wrestlers on formal occasions such as when VIPs visit a Sumo Tournament, or on formal visits to Shinto Shrines.