In the previous Grand Sumo Tournament, Tochinoshin's demotion from the rank of ozeki was sealed on the last day when Takakeisho pushed him out of the dohyo ring, leaving him with eight losses over the 15 days.
He was only able to hold onto the rank for five tournaments. But he is eligible to return if he notches at least 10 wins at the next basho in May.
"I couldn't get enough wins," he said after the tournament. "But I did my best."
The current regulation, which started with the Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya in July 1969, states that ozeki are demoted to the sekiwake rank if their losses exceed their wins over two consecutive tournaments. It also states that a wrestler who gets 10 or more wins in the tournament following demotion from ozeki will achieve immediate promotion.
Ozeki at one time had been demoted if losses exceeded wins over three consecutive tournaments, but the rule was considered too lenient by sumo fans.
The Japan Sumo Association wanted to maintain the three-tourney rule in consideration of the dignity of the ozeki rank. However, the association could not ignore public opinion.
Then Chairman Musashigawa, former makuuchi-division wrestler Dewanohana, came up with a reasonable compromise: If an ozeki is demoted after suffering more losses than wins for two consecutive tournaments, under a new rule, he would be able to recover his rank in the following tournament.
Eventually, it was decided that 10 wins in the tournament following ozeki demotion would be sufficient to recover the ranking. While eight wins in a fifteen-day tournament might be enough for an ozeki to retain his position, it is not a result considered befitting of the rank.
The current rule gives former ozeki the impetus to achieve double-digit wins if they want to return to the rank. The stipulation is designed not to be too lenient but also not too strict.
For those who were wondering, the late Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi said yokozuna should achieve the difficult task of winning 12 bouts per tournament. Though the number has never been officially codified, former yokozuna Kitanoumi was chairman during stricter times when there was a tacit understanding that the tough criteria should be met by the highest-ranked rikishi.
-- Miki is a sumo expert.
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