yokozuna
Top sumo rank
Yokozuna is the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling, held by only a handful of wrestlers at any time.
The title is permanent—a yokozuna who declines in performance is expected to retire rather than be demoted.
The word comes from the ceremonial rope belt worn during ring-entering rituals: He was promoted to yokozuna after winning consecutive tournaments.
Informal spoken salutation
- makuuchiHighest professional sumo division
- stablemasterOne managing horse quarters
Rank increase or publicity
Ceremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- shintoJapan's native religion
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- saltSodium chloride compound
heritage · customs · shrine · sacred · blessing · ancestry · dedication · discipline
High regard, moral dignity
- dignityInnate personal worth
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- venerationProfound admiring respect
admiration · grandeur · eminence · distinction · respect · glory · status · renown
Extremely large and heavy
- powerfulHaving great strength
- bulkyLarge and awkward to handle
- stoutHeavy, dark brewed beverage
- heftyConsiderable in weight
muscular · burly · imposing · formidable · heavyweight · strength · conditioning · weight
heya
Informal spoken salutation
- makuuchiHighest professional sumo division
- stablemasterOne managing horse quarters
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- shintoJapan's native religion
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
salt · heritage · customs · shrine · sacred · blessing · ancestry · dedication · discipline · stable
honor
High regard, moral dignity
veneration · admiration · grandeur · eminence · distinction · respect · glory · status · renown · majesty
massive
Extremely large and heavy
hefty · muscular · burly · imposing · formidable · heavyweight · strength · conditioning · weight · training