Sandanme is the professional sumo division directly below the makushita division. It is the third-highest lower division in Japan’s professional ranking system.
A wrestler normally enters the lower ranks after joining a stable and competing in official tournaments. Sandanme is above jonidan and jonokuchi, but below makushita and the salaried jūryō division. Wrestlers in Sandanme and the divisions beneath it are generally classified as unsalaried members of the banzuke.
The word Sandanme is often translated as “third step” or “third level,” reflecting its position among the lower divisions. Promotion and demotion depend mainly on tournament records, with strong performances moving a wrestler upward on the next ranking list.
A common mistake is to identify jūryō as the division below makushita. Jūryō is actually above makushita and is the first division in which wrestlers receive sekitori status, salaries, and additional privileges.