sekiwake

Sekiwake is the third-highest rank in professional sumo, one of the san’yaku, the top subset of the banzuke. It sits below yokozuna and ozeki and above komusubi, and is held by one or more wrestlers in the top division at any given time. The title signifies that a wrestler is among the elite, just beneath the sport’s two most senior ranks.

In a tournament, the san’yaku ranks—yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake, and komusubi—are determined by the banzuke committee based on recent performance in the top division. The number of active sekiwake can vary, and when several wrestlers reach the top tier, they are listed from higher to lower within the sekiwake rank. Holders are expected to perform at a high level in the ring, and sekiwake often face many of the strongest opponents.

Promotion to sekiwake is not governed by a fixed win total, but by recent results in the top division. A strong showing—often a double-digit win record or other standout performances in the preceding tournaments—can earn elevation from the ranks below. Demotion from sekiwake usually follows poor results, typically sending the wrestler back to komusubi or maegashira, depending on the overall performance of the group of san’yaku.

The role of the sekiwake is largely defined by its place in the hierarchy; as a san’yaku rank, sekiwake wrestlers are among the frontline contenders in any basho, charged with strong performance to help shape the top tier of the banzuke. The title has a long history and is a common stepping stone for wrestlers aiming for higher recognition, including potential promotion to ozeki or the ultimate rank of yokozuna.