One of the Japan Sumo Association¡¯s better-known rules is that there must be at least two ¨³ú±ð°ì¾± on the banzuke rankings at all times.
When a situation arises in which there aren¡¯t enough rikishi at the sport¡¯s second-highest rank to occupy both the east and west sides of the banzuke, one (or two) yokozuna can be designated as yokozuna-¨³ú±ð°ì¾± to ensure compliance with the aforementioned rule.
Such was the case in the just-completed Nagoya tournament, where newly promoted grand champion Onosato had to cover the empty ¨³ú±ð°ì¾± slot created by his own elevation to sumo¡¯s highest rank.
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