Number of sumo wrestlers in Japan 2022, by division
As of December 2022, Makuuchi, the highest division in professional sumo competitions in Japan, had 42 athletes competing for the sumo world's most prestigious rank, the yokozuna. Sumo wrestlers climb or fall the ranking ladder in accordance with their competition results. Since the Sandanme ranks and higher are fixed in terms of number of wrestlers, the Jonidan division becomes a pool for those yet to enter, or those who have fallen from the upper ranks.