So Sumo Me! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Yokozuna

Yokozuna (approximate pronunciation "yo-ko-zoo-nah") is the highest rank a sumo wrestler can reach. This top rank wasn't officially recognised until 1909: before that time, "yokozuna" described a licence given to an ozeki (second rank wrestler) to perform the important ring-entering ceremony at the beginning of a tournament.

The usual route from ozeki to yokozuna is by winning a minimum of two consecutive top division championships. The governing body of sumo, the Japanese Sumo Association, then decide whether to invite the wrestler to become a yokozuna: they take the wrestler's general behaviour, moral values and commitment to the sport into consideration, as well as their sporting prowess, as yokozuna are expected to be positive role models both in the sport and in society.

There can be more than one yokozuna at any one time.

Clue: Lennon's wife = Yoko Ono; a member of Generation Z may be called a "zoomer" (sounds like "zuna").

Answer: Ozeki

Before the rank of yokozuna was formally created in 1909, ozeki (approximate pronunciation "oh-zek-key", with the emphasis on "oh") was the top rank that a wrestler could attain. Broadly, wrestlers are promoted to ozeki rank after gaining at least 33 wins in their three most recent tournaments. The overall quality of the wins and the wrestler's prowess is also taken into consideration - defeating a yokozuna or winning a tournament will weigh heavily in a wrestler's favour. Ozeki may be relegated to the third rank if they have a losing record (7 wins and 8 losses, or worse) in two consecutive tournaments.

There is no set number of wrestlers at this rank, but there are usually fewer than six at any one time.

Clue: "Oz" is a shortened form of Australia (also called "the land downunder") and also references the wizard in "The Wizard of Oz".

Answer: Sekiwake

As the third highest rank in professional sumo, the sekiwake (approximate pronunciation "seh-kee-wah-kay") has a precarious position: he can be demoted to the fourth rank after only one tournament with a losing record (7 wins and 8 losses, or worse), and is not guaranteed to advance to the second rank even with good winning records in consecutive tournaments. Winning with a score of 11-4 or better will almost guarantee promotion, although it also depends on whether there is a space at ozeki rank.

There must be at least two sekiwake, and usually no more than three or four, so fourth rank wrestlers with good records may have to wait some time before being promoted.

Clue: the last part of the word is "wake" (opposite of sleep).

Answer: Komusubi

Like the third rank of sekiwake, the rank of komusubi (approximate pronunciation "koh-muh-soo-bee") is precarious: promotion to the third rank not only depends on achieving a tournament record of 8 wins to 7 losses or better, but also on the availability of a space at sekiwake rank. Typically, komosubi are pitted against the top rank wrestlers (yokozuna and ozeki) in the first week of a tournament, so frequently start off by losing several bouts.

Wrestlers reaching the rank of komusubi enjoy a salary increase, and also the honour of representing the Japanese Sumo Association at official events. Attaining this rank indicates a fairly successful career and, even if the rank is held for only one tournament, the wrestler will be referred to as "former komusubi" along with their ring name.

There must be at least two wrestlers ranked at komusubi at any one time. There can be up to three or four, but this is rare.

Clue: a periscope is found on a submarine ("sub").

Answer: Maegashira

Maegashira (approximate pronunciation my-ga-shee-rah) is the fifth rank in sumo, and comprises the largest group of top division wrestlers. There can be up to 36 wrestlers at this level, ranked in pairs from the highest (maegashira 1) to the lowest (maegashira 18).

Maegashira ranked 1 to 4 are likely to have bouts against wrestlers ranking above them - even yokozuna and ozeki - and this means that the ranks of maegashira 1 and 2 are particularly hard to maintain. Maegashira ranked 5 and below will be matched against each other, or against promising wrestlers from the sixth rank (juryo).

Promotion within the maegashira rank is highly variable, for example, a high-ranking wrestler with a winning record might only be promoted by one level, whereas a low-ranking wrestler who wins a tournament could be promoted to komosubi rank. If a maegashira beats a yokozuna, he scores a "kinboshi" or gold star and earns a monetary reward which persists for the rest of his career as a professional.

Clue: West = actor Mae West; a deep rift = gash; Gershwin = lyricist Ira Gershwin.

Answer: Juryo

Promotion to the sixth rank in sumo, juryo, is a significant point of a wrestler's career, as this is the first rank at which they receive a regular monthly salary rather than an allowance and are considered a full professional. They take part in the ring-entering ceremony and no longer have to do chores in the sumo stable, and can also wear their hair in the traditional fan-shaped topknot.

This is the first level at which wrestlers compete every day in a 15-day tournament, and high-ranking juryo wrestlers may have the opportunity show their potential by competing against wrestlers at a higher level if there have been withdrawals due to injury.

There are 28 wrestlers at juryo rank.

Clue: there are usually 12 people on a jury in a court of law.

Answer: Makushita

Makushita (approximate pronunciation "mah-koosh-tah", with the emphasis on "koo") is one of the most competitive ranks in sumo: here you will find both the younger rising stars of the sumo world and also older demoted wrestlers who are fighting to get back to the salaried ranks.

Wrestlers at this level are still considered trainees, so have day-to-day chores to perform within the sumo stable, as well as assisting higher-ranked wrestlers. They are allowed to wear a black cotton mawashi (loincloth/belt), compete in 7 bouts during a 15-day tournament, and the highest-ranked wrestlers at this level may be matched against wrestlers of the sixth (juryo) rank.

There may be up to 120 wrestlers at makushita rank, and promotion to juryo will depend on achieving one or two perfect 7-0 records (i.e winning one or two tournaments), depending on where the wrestler is ranked within the makushita level.

Clue: mother = ma; ta = a shortened form of "thank you".

Answer: Sandanme

Sandanme (approximate pronunciation "san-dan-may") is the eighth rank in sumo. Wrestlers at this rank are still regarded as trainees, so receive an allowance rather than a salary, but have more privileges than lower ranks - they are still required to carry out chores in their sumo stable, but are allowed to wear a coat over their robe and no longer have to wear traditional wooden sandals (geta). In a 15-day tournament they will have 7 bouts, and a good winning record will usually lead to promotion to the seventh rank of makushita.

There can be up to 180 wrestlers at sandanme rank.

Clue: "sand" is a word associated with beaches.

Answer: Jonidan

Jonidan (approximate pronunciation "joe-nee-dan") is the ninth rank in sumo: wrestlers here are no longer rookies and use this division to develop their abilities and start to work out their fighting style. They receive an allowance rather than a salary, and are required to carry out many of the routine "housekeeping" tasks in their sumo training stable, such as attending senior wrestlers, cooking, cleaning and preparing the training ring (dohyo). Jonidan wrestlers compete in 7 bouts in a 15-day tournament: a winning record of 4-3 or better will lead to promotion to sandanme, while a losing record (3-4 or worse) will mean a return to jonokuchi rank.

There are typically more than 200 wrestlers at this rank.

Clue: singer Joni Mitchell and actor Dan Aykroyd.

Answer: Jonokuchi

Jonokuchi (approximate pronunciation joe-no-koo-chee) is the lowest rank in sumo and where most new wrestlers will start. Some older wrestlers who may have been successively demoted owing to long term injuries may also end their careers at this rank. The rank typically includes 40 to 90 wrestlers and, like the other lower divisions, wrestlers will have only 7 bouts over the course of a 15 day tournament.

Clue: "Jonokuchi" sounds rather like someone called "John" with an Irish-sounding last name O'Kutchy.