The ranking system in the world of sumo wrestling represents a pyramid hierarchy with the fewest number of wrestlers at the top and the majority at the bottom.

Professional sumo consists of approximately 550 rikishi divided into 6 divisions. The top division, called Makuuchi, includes the top 42 wrestlers in the sport. The second highest division is called Juryo which consists of 28 rikishi. Rikishi in the top two divisions–Makuuchi and Juryo–are called “sekitori.” Sekitori are easily distinguished by their colorful mawashi (belts) and the topknot of their hair, which is fanned out into the shape of a ginkgo leaf. Sekitori are also assigned a tsuke-bito, a lower-ranked wrestler that acts as a servant performing such acts as carrying the sekitori’s belongings, toweling him off during practice, and answering his every beck and call. Reaching sekitori status is the first major goal of any rikishi. finally, sekitori are considered the paid ranks of sumo as they are the only wrestlers that receive a salary.

The third division is called Makushita. This division consists of 120 rikishi all fighting to be promoted to Juryo, thus becoming a sekitori. The fourth division is Sandanme, which consists of approximately 200 rikishi. The fifth division is Jonidan, which consists of approximately 260 rikishi. The sixth and final division is Jonokuchi, which consists of approximately 80 rikishi. When a new rikishi enters professional sumo, he will usually enter the sport at the age of 16 ranked as a low Jonokuchi. Some aspiring rikishi choose not to become professionals at 16, rather they develop their sumo technique during junior high, high school, and college. Once graduating from college, they can begin their professional careers at the Makushita level if their accomplishments during their amateur days prove them worthy of this rank.