Kadoban (角番) literally means "in the corner" — a fitting metaphor for an Ozeki who has fought their way into a dangerous situation. When an Ozeki records more losses than wins in a tournament (a make-koshi), they enter kadoban status. It means that in the very next tournament, they must win at least 8 of their 15 bouts to remain Ozeki. Fail, and they are demoted to Sekiwake.
The Rules: How Kadoban Works
The kadoban system was established in its current form in July 1969, introduced as a compromise between protecting the dignity of high-ranking wrestlers and satisfying public demand for accountability. The rules are precise:
- An Ozeki with a losing record (7–8 or worse) enters kadoban for the following tournament.
- In that kadoban tournament, they must achieve kachi-koshi (8 wins minimum) to clear their status.
- If they again record make-koshi while kadoban, they are demoted to Sekiwake.
- However, there is a redemption clause: a demoted Ozeki who wins 10 or more bouts in their first tournament as Sekiwake is immediately restored to Ozeki — without going through the standard promotion criteria.
- If they fail to win 10 in that redemption tournament, they must earn their way back through the normal promotion process (approximately 33 wins over 3 tournaments).
Historical Background: Why the Rule Was Created
Before 1969, the demotion rules were much more lenient. From 1958, an Ozeki could lose records in three consecutive tournaments before being demoted. The public found this deeply unsatisfying — lesser wrestlers were demoted after one bad tournament, while Ozeki seemed untouchable. Sumo stablemaster Musashigawa crafted the current compromise in 1968: stricter than before (two consecutive losing tournaments) but with a clear path back. The Japan Sumo Association adopted it the following year.
Who Has Been Kadoban Most Often?
The record for most kadoban appearances belongs to Chiyotaikai, who entered the danger zone an extraordinary 14 times during his Ozeki career (2000–2010). He escaped 13 of those, surviving through sheer fighting spirit and tactical adjustments — before finally failing and being demoted in January 2010, after which he retired immediately.
Other notable multiple-kadoban Ozeki include:
- Shodai — 5 kadoban appearances across 13 tournaments as Ozeki (2020–2022)
- Takakeisho — 5 kadoban, survived all but the final one before retiring in 2024
- Musoyama — 4 kadoban appearances; managed to survive all of them
- Tochiazuma — escaped kadoban 4 times, including twice managing an immediate return as Sekiwake after demotion
Notable Modern Kadoban Cases
Tochinoshin (2018): The Georgian Ozeki, known for his extraordinary belt-grabbing strength, injured his big toe in his first Ozeki tournament and recorded only 5 wins. He entered kadoban for Aki 2018 — and escaped it with 10 wins and a fighting spirit prize, one of the most dramatic kadoban rescues in recent years.
Mitakeumi (2022): A uniquely complicated case. Mitakeumi entered kadoban in July 2022 but withdrew mid-tournament after a stablemate tested positive for COVID-19. Under pandemic protocols, his kadoban status was extended to September — where he recorded another losing record and was demoted. He is the only wrestler demoted after effectively three consecutive losing records (the middle one being COVID-extended) rather than two.
Kirishima (2024): After a difficult January 2024, Kirishima found himself kadoban going into March. He escaped with a solid winning record, but the experience highlighted how even technically strong wrestlers can struggle with the consistency demands of Ozeki.
Successful Immediate Returns After Demotion
Six wrestlers have achieved the rare feat of winning 10+ bouts in their first tournament as Sekiwake after demotion, immediately returning to Ozeki: Mienoumi, Takanonami, Musoyama, Tochiazuma (twice), Tochinoshin, and Takakeisho. Each case was celebrated as a display of true Ozeki caliber.
There have been over 100 kadoban cases since 1969 — a testament to how demanding the Ozeki rank truly is, and why so few wrestlers remain at that level for more than a few years.