kinboshi

Kinboshi, meaning “gold star,” is a sumo term used to describe a top-division wrestler who defeats a yokozuna in an official tournament bout. The award is a formal recognition by the Japan Sumo Association of an upset victory against the sport’s highest rank.

Eligibility and scope: A kinboshi can be earned only by a maegashira-ranked rikishi competing in a honbasho. If a maegashira defeats a yokozuna, that victory earns a kinboshi; if the wrestler defeats more than one yokozuna in a single tournament, they receive multiple kinboshi, each counted separately in their career record.

Prize and significance: Each kinboshi is typically accompanied by a monetary prize funded by the Japan Sumo Association or sponsors. Beyond the financial award, a kinboshi is a prestigious accolade that marks a notable upset and is recorded on the wrestler’s career statistics. While it can influence public recognition and momentum, it does not itself change the wrestler’s rank.

Historical and cultural context: The kinboshi highlights the occasional vulnerability of even the dominant yokozuna and serves as a notable milestone in a rikishi’s career. Over the years, many wrestlers have earned kinboshi; several have gone on to achieve high rankings or major titles, underscoring the competitive dynamics of sumo.

See also: Yokozuna, Maegashira, Honbasho, Sumo prize.