Yokozuna is the pinnacle of sumo — a rank so exclusive that only 75 wrestlers in the sport's entire recorded history have achieved it. Unlike all other ranks, Yokozuna is permanent: once promoted, a wrestler holds the title until retirement, regardless of subsequent performance.
There are no fixed numerical requirements for Yokozuna promotion, but the traditional benchmark is two consecutive tournament victories (yusho) as Ozeki, along with demonstrated excellence in character and deportment. The Yokozuna Deliberation Council evaluates candidates on both athletic performance and personal conduct — a Yokozuna must represent the highest ideals of sumo.
In practice, the path looks like this: reach Makuuchi, accumulate winning records over multiple years, reach the san'yaku ranks, be promoted to Ozeki, win two consecutive tournaments (or equivalent outstanding performance), then wait for the Council's recommendation and the JSA board's approval.
The most recent Yokozuna promotions illustrate different paths: Terunofuji won six tournaments before promotion; Hoshoryu was promoted after consecutive wins; Onosato (promoted in 2025) achieved the rank as the first Japanese-born Yokozuna in nearly a decade, creating enormous celebration in Japan.
Currently (2026), Ukrainian-born Aonishiki — having won back-to-back tournaments as a newly promoted Ozeki — is under consideration for the historic promotion that would make him the first European-born Yokozuna.