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New Promotion Criteria Needed to Keep Top Sumō Ranks Robust

  • Terunofuji (center) performs the dohyō iri, ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Jingū on October 3, 2022. Two weeks later, he had arthroscopic surgery on both knees and sat out the November 2022 basho. (© Jiji)

    Terunofuji (center) performs the dohyō iri, ring-entering ceremony at Meiji Jingū on October 3, 2022. Two weeks later, he had arthroscopic surgery on both knees and sat out the November 2022 basho. (© Jiji)

  • Wakanohana I makes his first ring entrance as yokozuna at the spring 1958 basho. Despite being comparatively light, he was popular for his dynamic moves. Together with fellow yokozuna Tochinishiki, he ushered in the first postwar golden age of sumō. (© Kyōdō)

    Wakanohana I makes his first ring entrance as yokozuna at the spring 1958 basho. Despite being comparatively light, he was popular for his dynamic moves. Together with fellow yokozuna Tochinishiki, he ushered in the first postwar golden age of sumō. (© Kyōdō)

  • Wakatakakage (28), at left, winner of the March 2022 basho, won 57 matches in the previous year’s six grand tournaments. Hopes are high that he will win promotion to ōzeki in 2023. (© Jiji)

    Wakatakakage (28), at left, winner of the March 2022 basho, won 57 matches in the previous year’s six grand tournaments. Hopes are high that he will win promotion to ōzeki in 2023. (© Jiji)

  • Sekiwake Hōshōryū (23), at right, earned the Technique Prize at the November 2022 basho with a repertoire of moves including the kawazugake leg entanglement throw. With spectacular lower body strength like that of his uncle, the former yokozuna Asashōryū, he is also a prime contender for promotion to ōzeki. (© Jiji)

    Sekiwake Hōshōryū (23), at right, earned the Technique Prize at the November 2022 basho with a repertoire of moves including the kawazugake leg entanglement throw. With spectacular lower body strength like that of his uncle, the former yokozuna Asashōryū, he is also a prime contender for promotion to ōzeki. (© Jiji)

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