In professional sumo, ozeki is the rank immediately below yokozuna.
Ozeki is the second-highest rank in the traditional sumo hierarchy. The top four ranks are collectively called san’yaku: yokozuna, ozeki, sekiwake, and komusubi. Wrestlers below these ranks are classified as maegashira.
Promotion to ozeki is based on sustained performance in the top division, traditionally involving about 33 wins over three consecutive tournaments, although the Japan Sumo Association also considers the quality and consistency of the wrestler’s results. Unlike yokozuna, an ozeki can be demoted after repeated losing records.
Yokozuna is a special, permanent rank rather than an ordinary rank that can be lost through defeat. This makes ozeki the highest rank from which a wrestler can be formally demoted.