横綱(よこづな)

よこづな
noun
yokozuna; sumo grand champion
leisure
1. yokozuna; sumo grand champion
The highest rank in professional sumo wrestling. A yokozuna is expected not only to be the strongest wrestler but also to embody dignity and grace.
新(しん)横綱(よこづな)が誕生(たんじょう)した。
A new yokozuna was born.
横綱(よこづな)は土俵入(どひょうい)りで注連縄(しめなわ)を腰(こし)に巻(ま)く。
The yokozuna wears a sacred rope around the waist during the ring-entering ceremony.
連勝(れんしょう)が途絶(とだ)え、横綱(よこづな)としての責任(せきにん)を問(と)う声(こえ)が上(あ)がった。
When the winning streak ended, voices arose questioning his responsibility as yokozuna.
2. the very best; the top
Used figuratively to describe something or someone that is the undisputed best in their field.
この店(みせ)はラーメン界(かい)の横綱(よこづな)だ。
This shop is the grand champion of the ramen world.
売上(うりあげ)では業界(ぎょうかい)の横綱(よこづな)と言(い)われている。
In terms of sales, they are called the champion of the industry.
この温泉(おんせん)は全国(ぜんこく)の温泉地(おんせんち)の中(なか)でも横綱(よこづな)級(きゅう)だ。
This hot spring is in the grand-champion class among hot spring resorts nationwide.

The word 横綱(よこづな) literally means "horizontal rope," referring to the thick sacred rope (注連縄(しめなわ)) worn by the champion during ceremonies.

Common collocations

Cultural note

Unlike other sumo ranks, a 横綱(よこづな) cannot be demoted — if performance declines, the only option is retirement (引退(いんたい)). Promotion to 横綱(よこづな) requires not just winning records but also demonstrating 品格(ひんかく) (dignity) and 力量(りきりょう) (ability).

Related Words

Related: 大関(おおぜき) (second-highest sumo rank)
general
Added 2026.3.4 16:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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