Even More Historical Rikishi Strength Analysis

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Some of you might remember my original posting on the topic of rikishi ratings since 1973. Now I have expanded my database with all Makuuchi bouts in Showa, including kimarite, which means back to 1927. I again thought it would be a nice idea to expand my ratings to start this time from 1927. I had to deal with some obstacles like greatly varying size of Makuuchi which influences entry ratings, bouts with draws or even yasumi. Then there was the Shunjuuen incidence again influencing entry ratings for a year in 1932.Anyway, I finally arrived at ratings which again are pretty accurately showing the performances of all Makuuchi rikishi since 1927, including many Yokozuna and Ozeki. Now I compared the rikishi from 1927 to 2005 with my ratings like I did in my first posting. This might easily be seen as unreasonable as the eras really are too different at times but I think the results aren't that bad. I agree that absolute strength just can't be compared with the times being so far apart, but the comparison at least has some validity in comparing relative strength. Was Taiho more dominating in his time or Chiyonofuji?I think the results are pretty good to compare since the six basho per year era started. The ratings of Yokozuna and Ozeki generally are comparatively lower for the first 30 years from 1927 to 1957. This might have to do with the fact that the rikishi had a lot fewer bouts per year (sometimes only two basho with eleven bouts per basho), so maybe the ratings didn't have enough time to rise. I'm not comfortable with that explanation since those rikishi mostly still have several hundred rated bouts which is with the exception of some cases enough to settle the rating. I rather think that the Yokozuna and Ozeki in that time really weren't so dominant as later. They did have good winning percentages but it should have been higher, given that the East-West pairing method and later on ichimon restrictions really made for a weaker set of opponents which is factored in the ratings. So I made two sets of tables for sake of better comparison, one for rikishi who retired before 1960 and one for the "modern era".I didn't change my methodical approach for the comparison in itself, so I'll allow myself to repeat the explanation:The easiest thing is just to compare the peak career rating. The disadvantage of that is that several rikishi have a short peak with big drop-offs elsewhere (for example Mienoumi) while other rikishi have countless basho near the career peak (for example Musashimaru).I discarded the idea of taking the career average rating because rikishi generally are viewed upon their top performances when evaluating the career. Also such rikishi as Konishiki got a low career average only because they competed until they couldn't, what shouldn't count against them.My solution was to take the best N ratings (with N = 3, 6 and 10) and calculate a weighted average of them with the career peak rating getting the weight N and the Nth best rating getting the weight 1. Furthermore, since the ratings from one basho to another are strongly dependent, all N ratings must be at least 3 basho apart. A big value for N favors rikishi with sustained and successful longevity, while a short N favors rikishi who have a short peak period. N = 10 was used only for the set of tables from 1958 onwards as the number of basho was too low before that.I made tables grouped by the career highest rank (Yokozuna, Ozeki and so on), leaving away all rikishi with less than 10 Makuuchi basho. The columns mean :Rank = highest career rankFirst = first basho with a rating, which is Makuuchi debut before 1989 and Juryo debut from 1989 onLast = last basho with a rating, which means last basho in Makuuchi (or in Juryo from 1989 on)Basho = # non-kyujo basho since 1927 (I left away all kyujo basho in the whole calculation)Makuuchi = # non-kyujo basho in Makuuchi (only relevant from 1989 onwards since I don't have Juryo bouts before that)Kyujo = # kyujo bashoW-L-D = number of rated wins, losses and draws, fusen are excluded, playoffs are includedPeak = career peak ratingRating ₃ = weighted average of top 3 career ratingsRating ₆ = weighted average of top 6 career ratingsRating ₁₀ = weighted average of top 10 career ratingsRank = overall rank for the rating left to that column

Yokozuna 1960-2005

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank	Rating 10	Rank
Y	Taiho	196001	197105	64	64	5	747-138	2731	1	2720	1	2699	1	2676	1
Y	Kitanoumi	197201	198501	74	74	4	805-244	2705	2	2694	2	2672	2	2640	2
Y	Tamanoumi	196403	197109	46	46	0	465-223	2680	3	2637	3	2586	4	2534	8
Y	Chiyonofuji	197509	199105	75	75	6	811-244	2643	4	2631	4	2615	3	2600	3
Y	Kitanofuji	196401	197407	61	61	3	589-290	2610	5	2604	5	2578	5	2543	5
Y	Asashoryu	200009	200507	30	28	0	342-103	2609	6	2577	9	2530	10	2456	21
Y	Mienoumi	196909	198011	67	67	1	543-407-1	2599	7	2547	11	2498	20	2453	22
Y	Takanohana	198911	200301	69	64	11	748-246	2590	8	2579	7	2563	8	2542	6
Y	Wajima	197101	198103	61	61	1	619-206	2588	9	2583	6	2574	6	2562	4
Y	Kashiwado	195809	196907	60	60	6	599-235	2584	10	2579	8	2565	7	2542	7
Y	Wakanohana	197311	198301	52	52	3	509-232	2583	11	2574	10	2555	9	2525	9
Y	Akebono	199003	200101	56	53	10	602-212	2563	12	2539	15	2522	13	2505	10
Y	Tochinishiki	194706	196005	51	51	1	511-200-1	2562	13	2542	13	2516	14	2491	13
Y	Takanosato	197505	198601	56	56	2	462-308	2559	14	2516	21	2477	22	2430	26
Y	Wakanohana	195001	196205	55	55	2	548-230-4	2543	19	2540	14	2524	12	2502	12
Y	Asahifuji	198303	199201	53	53	1	485-276	2532	20	2523	18	2509	15	2481	15
Y	Sadanoyama	196101	196803	42	42	2	433-162	2529	21	2522	19	2506	18	2484	14
Y	Kotozakura	196303	197407	64	64	2	545-338	2527	22	2500	23	2474	23	2456	20
Y	Hokutoumi	198309	199205	46	46	7	468-206	2522	23	2511	22	2497	21	2476	17
Y	Musashimaru	199107	200311	70	68	5	728-277	2492	27	2478	25	2471	24	2465	19
Y	Onokuni	198303	199107	45	45	6	423-225	2489	29	2474	27	2456	26	2431	25
Y	Tochinoumi	196003	196611	36	36	4	310-175	2480	31	2449	36	2421	39	2384	47
Y	Futahaguro	198409	198801	20	20	1	196-86	2479	33	2467	30	2423	38	2391	40
Y	Asashio	195101	196201	48	48	4	431-243	2474	35	2456	34	2432	35	2412	33
Y	Wakanohana	199003	200003	56	53	5	518-258	2430	51	2419	47	2403	46	2390	41

We have a new leader with Taiho, replacing Kitanoumi from my first study. In all categories Taiho is about 26 points ahead of Kitanoumi. As we will see, Taiho wasn't only even more dominating than Kitanoumi with more yusho, but he also had excellent opponents with Tamanoumi, Kitanofuji, Kashiwado, Sadanoyama and Kotozakura who all deserved a lot more yusho than they got, as Taiho won one yusho after another.Kitanoumi also clearly is the second best rikishi, in all categories. Chiyonofuji of course has more yusho but my ratings suggest very strongly that the competition for Kitanoumi was a lot harder than for Chiyonofuji with Wajima, Wakanohana II and Mienoumi claiming better slots in this table than Takanosato, Asashifuji, Hokutoumi and Onokuni who were the other Yokozuna in Chiyonofuji's time.The third best rikishi since 1960 is Chiyonofuji if you look at ratings which prefer sustained performance and surprisingly Tamanoumi in the peak rating (by a wide margin). Tamanoumi won only six yusho, but his career was clearly cut short as he died at the age of 27. In the year before his death he had an 84-6 record over six basho, winning four yusho. He clearly was set to win a lot more and with a longer career also his longevity ratings would clearly have been higher as he was on his peak as he died.Takanohana, Wajima and Mienoumi who followed after Chiyonofuji in my first posting are relegated further behind by Kitanofuji and Asashoryu. The Mongolian Yokozuna utilized the last year to establish a peak rating on par with Kitanofuji and rise in this standings ahead of Takanohana. His longevity marks will rise in the coming years as well as they still include some Maegashira basho.

Yokozuna 1927-1959

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank
Y	Futabayama	193202	194511	29	29	2	274-66-1	2559	15	2546	12	2525	11
Y	Tamanishiki	192701	193805	35	35	2	289-81-3	2552	16	2527	16	2506	19
Y	Haguroyama	193705	195309	34	34	5	322-87-1	2551	17	2523	17	2507	16
Y	Tsunenohana	192701	193010	13	13	3	111-25	2544	18	2519	20	2506	17
Y	Terukuni	193905	195301	30	30	2	268-83	2522	24	2485	24	2461	25
Y	Yoshibayama	194711	195801	35	35	2	300-144-1	2507	25	2477	26	2448	30
Y	Azumafuji	194305	195409	30	30	1	258-98-2	2493	26	2471	29	2452	27
Y	Kagamisato	194706	195801	37	37	1	359-160	2472	36	2456	33	2438	33
Y	Miyagiyama	192701	193103	17	17	1	89-65-1	2453	41	2396	56	2361	59
Y	Chiyonoyama	194511	195901	39	39	7	363-143-2	2451	42	2446	39	2438	32
Y	Musashiyama	192905	193905	23	23	6	174-66-2	2444	45	2426	46	2402	47
Y	Akinoumi	193801	194611	15	15	3	140-58	2395	64	2375	63	2308	77
Y	Minanogawa	192801	194201	33	33	3	242-135-1	2379	68	2373	66	2353	63
Y	Maedayama	193701	194910	26	26	1	206-98	2379	69	2359	68	2342	65

Futabayama is widely recognized as the best rikishi in the first half of Showa and my ratings have him at the top position here as well. Still, in the peak rating at least his lead is quite close as Tamanishiki, Haguroyama and Tsunenohana are pretty close behind. And for Tsunenohana I only have the tail end of his career. At the bottom we have Akinoumi, Minanogawa and Maedayama who weren't the strongest Yokozuna by any standard.

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Ozeki 1960-2005

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank	Rating 10	Rank
O	Wakashimazu	198101	198707	40	40	0	355-215	2490	28	2461	32	2427	37	2384	46
O	Kiyokuni	196311	197401	61	61	1	502-381	2485	30	2473	28	2449	29	2423	29
O	Konishiki	198407	199711	78	78	3	645-471	2479	32	2465	31	2449	28	2428	28
O	Kirishima	198407	199603	70	70	1	516-505	2477	34	2439	41	2398	49	2337	60
O	Maenoyama	196609	197403	45	45	1	341-302	2464	37	2435	43	2404	45	2371	50
O	Takanohana	196811	198101	70	70	0	575-398	2463	38	2448	38	2431	36	2411	34
O	Kaio	199201	200507	79	70	3	689-420	2461	39	2454	35	2441	31	2429	27
O	Daikirin	196309	197411	57	57	1	469-332	2456	40	2448	37	2435	34	2418	32
O	Tochiazuma	199605	200507	51	48	5	433-254	2449	43	2429	45	2408	44	2388	43
O	Asahikuni	196907	197909	53	53	1	414-325	2449	44	2441	40	2418	42	2384	48
O	Yutakayama	196201	196809	41	41	0	371-233	2444	46	2432	44	2421	40	2402	36
O	Kotokaze	197701	198511	46	46	3	394-244	2438	47	2437	42	2418	41	2395	39
O	Daiju	197005	197703	42	42	0	306-292	2434	48	2392	57	2354	62	2321	65
O	Kaiketsu	197109	197901	45	45	0	367-304	2432	49	2407	52	2384	53	2356	54
O	Kitabayama	195811	196605	45	45	1	393-271	2427	52	2403	54	2385	52	2366	51
O	Chiyotaikai	199507	200507	57	44	4	502-314	2419	53	2418	48	2413	43	2401	37
O	Asashio	197811	198903	62	62	1	526-371	2418	54	2411	50	2394	50	2379	49
O	Takanonami	199103	200405	80	76	0	680-498	2415	56	2398	55	2383	54	2362	52
O	Hokutenyu	198011	199009	58	58	2	509-332	2415	57	2409	51	2399	48	2388	44
O	Kotogahama	195005	196211	57	57	2	441-345	2410	58	2391	58	2367	57	2341	58
O	Tochihikari	195505	196601	60	60	0	481-401	2403	59	2388	59	2367	56	2345	56
O	Musoyama	199305	200411	66	64	4	538-367	2399	60	2375	64	2357	61	2339	59
O	Wakahaguro	195503	196503	54	54	2	421-382	2399	61	2370	67	2337	68	2307	71
O	Dejima	199609	200507	50	47	4	414-295	2394	65	2373	65	2341	66	2312	69
O	Mitsuneyama	194401	196001	55	55	1	403-350	2388	66	2380	62	2358	60	2327	62
O	Matsunobori	195109	196111	48	48	1	352-352	2372	70	2341	74	2319	74	2287	78
O	Miyabiyama	199811	200507	39	37	2	312-249	2349	81	2314	89	2288	93	2267	93
O	Masuiyama	197003	198103	59	59	0	419-432	2349	82	2316	88	2289	90	2268	92

One of the more important insights of my first study has been that there indeed is a pretty sharp cutoff line between Yokozuna and Ozeki. Now we have some more Yokozuna intermingling with the top Ozeki with Asashio and Tochinoumi (see the bottom of the first Yokozuna table) and some more top Ozeki with Kiyokuni and Maenoyama but by and large I still would assert that the cutoff line between Yokozuna and Ozeki since 1960 has been very constant with the most prominent exception still being Wakanohana III.Wakashimazu has the highest peak rating of all Ozeki in this study as well, but it was pretty short. The other ratings show Kiyokuni and Konishiki and Kaio ahead. The Musashigawa trio of Musoyama, Dejima and Miyabiyama counts among the weaker Ozeki in history. Miyabiyama even battles for the last place with Masuiyama who is the only Ozeki with a negative Makuuchi W-L record.

Ozeki 1927-1959

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank
O	Hitachiiwa	192701	193103	16	16	2	102-56-1	2431	50	2404	53	2370	55
O	Toyokuni	192701	193010	15	15	1	107-50	2416	55	2412	49	2394	51
O	Shimizugawa	192701	193705	24	24	4	158-103	2398	62	2383	60	2345	64
O	Masuiyama	194101	195001	19	19	1	138-92	2386	67	2321	82	2255	114
O	Ouchiyama	194901	195903	39	39	2	302-253	2369	71	2339	75	2304	80
O	Noshirogata	192701	193605	30	30	3	170-142-2	2359	74	2357	69	2338	67
O	Onosato	192701	193201	20	20	1	125-89	2355	77	2346	73	2327	72
O	Saganohana	193905	195201	28	28	1	198-157-1	2343	86	2330	78	2308	76
O	Shionoumi	194301	195105	20	20	0	125-113	2309	107	2289	107	2244	119
O	Itsutsushima	193605	194201	11	11	1	86-57	2276	126	2204	172	2187	163
O	Kagamiiwa	192803	193905	29	29	1	172-151	2271	133	2250	134	2227	135
O	Nayoroiwa	193701	195409	42	42	2	286-279	2267	137	2265	120	2253	115

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Sekiwake 1960-2005

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank	Rating 10	Rank
S	Hasegawa	196501	197605	69	69	0	523-501	2396	63	2380	61	2362	58	2344	57
S	Kotomitsuki	199911	200507	33	28	2	294-186	2365	72	2353	70	2330	71	2300	74
S	Kotonishiki	198901	200009	69	65	2	529-464	2358	76	2350	71	2334	69	2317	68
S	Wakanosato	199711	200507	44	39	3	382-273	2354	78	2346	72	2332	70	2311	70
S	Kotogaume	198503	199705	73	52	1	525-541	2353	80	2322	81	2299	83	2274	86
S	Tamanoumi	195209	196101	40	40	1	301-276	2345	83	2316	87	2290	89	2261	96
S	Hakuho	200401	200507	10	8	0	98-45	2344	84	2318	85	2231	131	2211	132
S	Tochinowaka	198701	199907	75	75	1	517-589	2344	85	2319	84	2301	81	2274	87
S	Tamanofuji	197409	198105	41	41	0	285-326	2338	87	2320	83	2287	95	2251	99
S	Dewanohana	197711	198801	62	62	0	437-481	2337	88	2308	92	2272	100	2243	106
S	Tokitsuyama	194905	196101	48	48	1	356-333	2332	89	2326	80	2308	75	2277	82
S	Tochiazuma	196703	197701	58	58	1	400-445	2331	90	2297	102	2260	107	2230	116
S	Tochiakagi	197705	198411	33	33	2	232-250	2330	91	2301	98	2268	103	2225	119
S	Arase	197307	198105	48	48	0	347-367	2327	93	2303	96	2284	96	2262	95
S	Myobudani	195907	196911	58	58	0	411-451	2326	94	2305	94	2288	91	2270	89
S	Takamiyama	196801	198401	97	97	0	681-747	2325	95	2316	86	2308	78	2298	75
S	Mitoizumi	198409	200009	83	75	5	575-616	2322	96	2295	103	2266	106	2241	107
S	Daigo	195811	196703	51	51	0	385-373	2319	98	2311	90	2299	82	2284	80
S	Tosanoumi	199411	200507	64	60	1	497-459	2317	99	2308	91	2291	88	2276	83
S	Sakahoko	198211	199209	58	56	1	395-466	2314	100	2288	108	2258	109	2233	111
S	Haguroyama	195405	196503	58	58	1	425-422-1	2313	102	2304	95	2295	86	2276	84
S	Kongo	197009	197609	36	36	1	258-281	2313	103	2280	115	2244	118	2208	133
S	Kurohimeyama	196907	198107	72	72	0	509-569	2313	104	2306	93	2293	87	2275	85
S	Kirinji	197409	198809	83	83	1	574-641	2311	105	2300	99	2288	94	2269	90
S	Akinoshima	198803	200305	88	88	3	640-636	2299	110	2290	105	2283	97	2273	88
S	Iwakaze	195605	196505	52	52	0	373-406	2299	111	2293	104	2266	105	2232	112
S	Wakamaeda	195405	196309	50	50	0	353-389	2292	113	2253	131	2208	148	2177	155
S	Takatoriki	198905	200209	80	67	0	598-599	2290	114	2271	118	2258	108	2246	103
S	Fujizakura	197109	198401	73	73	0	495-581	2289	115	2282	112	2271	101	2253	98
S	Fujinokawa	196611	197209	31	31	0	207-239	2288	116	2281	114	2269	102	2250	100
S	Washuyama	197305	198407	47	47	2	320-348	2286	118	2281	113	2255	111	2226	118
S	Wakachichibu	195809	196711	51	51	0	364-398	2285	120	2257	126	2240	123	2218	126
S	Mutsuarashi	196703	197603	53	53	0	368-416	2285	121	2282	111	2273	99	2254	97
S	Kainoyama	196101	197001	54	54	0	381-411	2280	122	2266	119	2256	110	2243	105
S	Kyokutenho	199603	200507	56	41	0	407-429	2278	123	2262	122	2244	120	2214	129
S	Shinobuyama	195009	196005	43	43	0	302-319	2276	125	2248	138	2223	138	2195	141
S	Wakamiyama	196401	196901	27	27	0	173-218	2273	128	2257	127	2225	137	2187	147
S	Ozutsu	197903	199205	80	78	0	539-656	2272	130	2255	130	2234	129	2215	128
S	Terao	198503	200209	102	92	3	685-823	2271	132	2263	121	2238	127	2214	130
S	Hagurogawa	196009	196503	26	26	2	193-195	2268	135	2245	140	2222	140	2204	136
S	Kotonowaka	199007	200507	87	84	4	617-653	2268	136	2246	139	2227	136	2211	131
S	Tsurugamine	195303	196707	77	77	0	546-579	2265	138	2256	128	2248	116	2237	108
S	Takanowaka	199905	200507	36	31	2	267-248	2262	139	2237	145	2209	146	2169	164
S	Fukunohana	196509	197511	60	60	1	417-463	2261	140	2256	129	2246	117	2231	113
S	Fusanishiki	195705	196509	50	50	0	348-389	2258	141	2241	142	2216	143	2191	143
S	Kitanonada	195009	196203	52	52	0	364-383	2258	143	2249	135	2231	132	2205	134
S	Hokutoriki	200201	200507	22	20	0	166-162	2257	144	2190	196	2154	211	2127	219
S	Tochihikari	197409	198501	60	60	0	408-488	2253	147	2248	137	2238	125	2225	120
S	Aobajo	197501	198601	62	62	0	427-501	2253	148	2243	141	2216	144	2190	144
S	Masurao	198509	199007	22	18	2	145-145	2252	149	2217	159	2186	164	2158	176
S	Dewanishiki	194711	196409	76	76	1	531-549-3	2251	151	2248	136	2241	122	2231	115
S	Kitaseumi	197203	197905	39	39	0	266-308	2244	156	2228	151	2202	152	2171	161
S	Tochinonada	199611	200507	52	49	1	370-383	2241	159	2238	143	2233	130	2222	122
S	Kotetsuyama	196309	197401	50	50	0	320-424	2237	166	2203	174	2178	177	2159	174
S	Kairyuyama	196007	196709	44	44	0	304-354	2237	167	2229	150	2219	141	2197	140
S	Tamanoshima	199909	200507	35	28	0	261-259	2235	169	2227	153	2205	150	2163	168
S	Oginohana	195711	196609	54	54	0	385-420	2233	171	2215	161	2199	156	2173	158
S	Kurama	197607	198909	66	61	1	455-523	2233	172	2231	147	2217	142	2192	142
S	Daijuyama	198009	199105	63	63	1	427-500	2227	174	2214	162	2202	153	2188	146
S	Tamakasuga	199503	200507	62	52	1	433-466	2225	175	2197	177	2182	168	2164	167
S	Wakashoyo	199105	199707	37	22	1	268-286	2223	178	2165	225	2125	240	2089	289
S	Hayateumi	199901	200507	33	19	5	243-206	2214	191	2193	187	2153	213	2106	247
S	Maedagawa	196011	196511	31	31	0	204-260	2208	196	2192	188	2171	187	2138	208
S	Kotofuji	198809	199509	42	36	1	286-337	2206	201	2190	193	2174	184	2151	189
S	Kaiki	197511	198611	65	65	1	445-520	2198	212	2186	198	2166	194	2147	196
S	Toryu	197911	199001	56	49	1	376-457	2190	219	2163	230	2144	221	2126	220
S	Masudayama	197611	198907	51	47	0	334-422	2178	232	2163	228	2139	229	2121	224
S	Tochitsukasa	198309	199205	43	31	1	303-327	2175	236	2160	232	2142	226	2124	221
S	Aonosato	195901	196901	60	60	0	402-492	2173	243	2172	216	2167	191	2153	183
S	Tagaryu	198205	199105	54	49	0	350-440	2170	245	2138	256	2117	258	2102	254
S	Ho-o	197907	198905	35	33	1	224-301	2156	257	2140	255	2121	245	2105	248
S	Koboyama	198111	199011	52	47	0	338-415	2147	272	2133	262	2118	253	2107	243

The big group of Sekiwake from 1960 to 2005 is quite heterogenous as there are of course several rikishi with very negative Makuuchi W-L record who just happened to have been Sekiwake once. But at the top of this group we can see quite a good separation to the lower Ozeki. The best peak rating from any Sekiwake belongs to Hasegawa and it still is lower than Musoyama's peak. Even Dejima is only surpassed from one Sekiwake, which speaks for Musoyama and Dejima having been deserved Ozeki, if still on the low Ozeki end.There is no big change in the leading Sekiwake since my first study with the exception of Hasegawa leading now ahead of Kotomitsuki, Kotonishiki and Wakanosato. Well, Kotomitsuki and Wakanosato still may advance to Ozeki. Unless they raise their level significantly they would be among the weak Ozeki then. The way it is now they are among the best Sekiwake of all time. Which is preferrable?

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Sekiwake 1927-1959

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank
S	Kiyosegawa	192701	192909	12	12	0	71-53-1	2360	73	2330	77	2306	79
S	Tenryu	192805	193201	13	13	2	97-44-1	2358	75	2331	76	2298	84
S	Takanobori	193105	193905	18	18	3	106-93	2330	92	2289	106	2229	133
S	Okitsuumi	193101	193305	10	10	1	64-39-3	2313	101	2273	116	2239	124
S	Nishikinada	192701	193201	20	20	1	112-90-1	2307	108	2303	97	2288	92
S	Dewagatake	192701	193501	23	23	5	124-125	2287	117	2262	123	2229	134
S	Wakabayama	192701	193305	26	26	1	122-149-1	2286	119	2283	110	2255	113
S	Yamanishiki	192701	193201	20	20	1	111-95-1	2278	124	2272	117	2255	112
S	Tamanoumi	193501	194511	19	19	4	139-98-1	2273	129	2251	133	2201	155
S	Sagamigawa	193905	194901	19	19	1	125-119	2272	131	2231	148	2176	183
S	Kamikaze	194201	195005	19	19	0	121-98-1	2271	134	2260	124	2242	121
S	Rikidozan	194611	195009	10	10	1	71-55	2252	150	2231	149	2222	139
S	Hajimayama	194506	195905	45	45	3	302-313	2249	152	2212	165	2185	165
S	Hatasegawa	192803	194001	34	34	1	174-197	2246	153	2226	154	2210	145
S	Terunobori	194201	195501	33	33	2	218-225	2240	162	2222	155	2189	162
S	Futasegawa	194005	194706	14	14	0	80-91	2210	194	2190	195	2127	239
S	Ayagawa	193005	193705	16	16	1	85-93	2208	195	2190	194	2158	204
S	Dewaminato	193501	194411	20	20	1	120-116-1	2206	202	2205	170	2191	160
S	Ayanobori	193401	194506	23	23	1	141-129-1	2202	207	2195	186	2181	173
S	Hishuzan	193101	194506	18	18	1	113-119	2198	211	2183	204	2159	202
S	Kasagiyama	193505	194511	21	21	1	134-139	2195	215	2183	203	2161	198
S	Banjaku	193405	194301	18	18	0	103-118	2192	216	2175	213	2143	223
S	Kozuzan	194305	195301	22	22	2	123-149-1	2192	217	2175	212	2136	230
S	Bishuyama	194101	195409	36	36	0	212-262	2186	225	2179	210	2157	206
S	Shinkai	192705	193705	28	28	1	145-164-1	2182	230	2180	208	2169	188
S	Taikyuzan	193205	194401	21	21	2	121-134-1	2150	266	2138	258	2110	273
S	Oshio	193201	194105	21	21	2	97-131	2148	271	2124	274	2103	282
S	Ryogoku	193202	194205	24	24	0	135-155	2141	283	2116	292	2092	307
S	Asahigawa	193202	194205	23	23	1	116-154-2	2135	297	2116	294	2093	303
S	Fudoiwa	194411	195205	19	19	0	103-125	2124	318	2121	281	2100	290

In comparison to the Ozeki level in the first half of the Showa era, the two best Sekiwake Kiyosegawa and Tenryu should have become Ozeki. Ok, for Kiyosegawa I only have the tail end of his career, before that it wasn't that good. And Tenryu actually was so unhappy about his non-promotion to Ozeki that he was leading the mass rikishi drain following the Shunjuuen incident in 1932. The following Sekiwake were better than the Ozeki on the last places in the Ozeki table but I think this is more speaking against the Ozeki than for the Sekiwake.

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Komusubi 1960-2005

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank	Rating 10	Rank
K	Ryuko	196803	197505	35	35	1	239-259	2320	97	2299	100	2276	98	2248	102
K	Fujinishiki	195901	196811	59	59	0	414-465	2309	106	2288	109	2267	104	2249	101
K	Kotooshu	200405	200507	8	6	0	77-42	2300	109	2220	156	2193	159	2185	148
K	Yutakayama	197111	198011	51	51	0	349-413	2274	127	2257	125	2236	128	2217	127
K	Wakafutase	196603	197305	36	36	0	238-302	2258	142	2237	144	2201	154	2169	163
K	Iwakiyama	200203	200507	21	17	0	165-141	2246	154	2219	157	2185	166	2139	204
K	Haguroiwa	196701	197707	55	55	0	381-425	2244	155	2227	152	2206	149	2181	151
K	Asahiyutaka	199311	199901	32	24	0	228-250	2242	157	2185	200	2149	218	2110	239
K	Takamisakari	200001	200507	28	23	2	213-193	2241	160	2207	169	2176	182	2139	205
K	Wakanoumi	195503	196311	48	48	0	332-364-1	2239	163	2217	158	2189	161	2161	170
K	Ryogoku	198703	199211	35	32	0	239-263	2237	165	2216	160	2197	157	2179	154
K	Futagodake	196701	197609	57	57	0	375-458-1	2236	168	2212	164	2181	172	2158	178
K	Misugisato	198805	199807	62	53	0	422-497	2224	176	2203	173	2181	174	2160	173
K	Ohikari	195009	196311	63	63	1	451-490-1	2223	179	2212	163	2195	158	2172	159
K	Kenko	199103	199711	37	27	3	259-295	2219	182	2197	179	2165	195	2129	217
K	Wakanami	196305	197203	52	52	0	349-429	2218	183	2191	190	2173	186	2156	180
K	Hirokawa	196207	196803	32	32	0	217-250	2218	185	2173	214	2150	217	2129	218
K	Onishiki	197309	198709	53	53	0	345-425	2217	186	2196	181	2179	175	2158	177
K	Sadanoumi	198011	198803	45	45	0	302-371	2215	188	2195	185	2178	179	2160	172
K	Kakizoe	200303	200507	15	12	0	122-103	2214	190	2198	176	2161	199	2149	193
K	Toyokuni	196111	196711	37	37	0	248-291	2211	193	2197	180	2179	176	2163	169
K	Kyokudozan	198901	199611	47	47	1	322-380	2208	198	2185	201	2153	212	2131	216
K	Oshio	197109	198405	51	51	0	332-411	2207	200	2183	206	2155	209	2134	211
K	Daishoho	199101	199905	48	33	3	336-366	2205	203	2172	217	2152	214	2131	214
K	Hananoumi	198503	198907	25	25	2	162-181	2204	204	2190	197	2177	181	2170	162
K	Toki	199707	200507	47	37	1	331-368	2204	205	2183	205	2161	196	2143	200
K	Aobayama	197511	198111	31	31	0	206-257	2200	209	2190	192	2174	185	2149	192
K	Kurosegawa	197805	198301	26	26	0	171-215	2199	210	2166	220	2141	228	2118	226
K	Banryuyama	197503	198301	32	32	0	199-267	2191	218	2142	251	2117	256	2093	273
K	Oginishiki	199111	200401	70	45	4	493-514	2187	223	2179	209	2156	208	2132	212
K	Shimotori	200105	200507	26	19	0	189-191	2186	224	2153	237	2127	237	2087	293
K	Tomoefuji	199007	199505	29	17	1	198-197	2186	226	2167	219	2121	249	2078	307
K	Wakajishi	197301	198207	31	31	0	199-261	2184	227	2164	227	2135	231	2105	249
K	Naruyama	195309	196203	37	37	0	261-294	2175	237	2166	222	2156	207	2136	210
K	Chiyotenzan	199701	200507	47	22	1	322-376	2174	238	2151	239	2118	254	2069	325
K	Shionishiki	195201	196107	46	46	0	315-370-1	2169	246	2143	245	2121	247	2098	260
K	Kyokushuzan	199503	200507	62	54	0	425-499	2166	248	2165	226	2157	205	2147	197
K	Tochinohana	199901	200507	32	14	1	227-235	2166	250	2096	333	2051	394	2006	463
K	Tamakiyama	197405	197909	24	24	0	152-194	2157	256	2133	261	2112	268	2091	279
K	Wakanoyama	199107	200507	68	31	1	481-529	2153	259	2125	272	2096	297	2067	331
K	Kanenohana	195803	196701	42	42	0	285-334	2151	263	2130	266	2117	255	2102	253
K	Kaiho	199705	200507	49	42	1	348-379	2148	269	2134	260	2112	270	2089	291
K	Kotoinazuma	198711	199907	68	60	1	461-539	2148	270	2123	279	2104	279	2092	276
K	Futatsuryu	197203	198003	28	28	1	185-225	2147	275	2131	265	2120	251	2108	242
K	Tomonohana	199211	200109	50	15	4	357-373	2140	284	2125	271	2097	295	2057	357
K	Itai	198009	199109	54	53	1	330-436	2140	285	2132	263	2122	243	2112	237
K	Daizen	199011	200301	72	35	2	518-553	2139	286	2129	267	2113	267	2091	278
K	Jingaku	198301	199109	48	47	0	306-397	2138	288	2124	273	2116	261	2106	246
K	Takamisugi	198107	199511	71	70	1	468-569	2134	299	2127	269	2114	263	2105	250
K	Mainoumi	199103	199911	52	36	1	359-407	2133	300	2105	311	2091	312	2079	303
K	Hamanoshima	199301	200201	54	44	1	369-437	2129	306	2106	309	2090	314	2076	313
K	Takanofuji	198605	199205	37	33	0	234-316	2115	327	2102	317	2093	305	2080	302
K	Maenoshin	198511	199001	17	10	0	109-146	2113	331	2068	384	2024	449	2005	465
K	Daitetsu	198311	199009	42	31	0	286-345	2108	343	2093	337	2085	321	2074	318
K	Tamaryu	198205	199111	46	30	0	307-383	2104	351	2099	321	2084	322	2066	334
K	Oyutaka	198205	198407	13	13	0	83-110	2104	354	2089	347	2076	339	2073	322
K	Naminohana	199011	199701	37	18	0	265-289	2101	361	2086	353	2063	361	2034	413

The two best Komusubi since 1960 seem to have been Ryuko and Fujinishiki who are clearly ahead of the huge rest of the field. Iwakiyama and Takamisakari are still active, and can still claim a higher career best rank, not to speak of Kotooshu of course.

Komusubi 1927-1959

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank
K	Manazuru	192701	193110	17	17	3	85-95	2257	145	2252	132	2238	126
K	Shimizugawa	194711	195809	41	41	0	284-293	2257	146	2236	146	2208	147
K	Wakashima	192901	193905	26	26	1	149-145	2214	192	2201	175	2181	171
K	Kotonishiki	194411	195505	30	30	1	186-213	2195	214	2185	202	2168	189
K	Wakasegawa	194201	195901	54	54	0	347-392	2189	220	2180	207	2161	197
K	Sakuranishiki	194001	195105	24	24	2	148-144	2189	221	2173	215	2158	203
K	Kuninobori	194810	195907	44	44	0	289-303-1	2189	222	2155	235	2134	232
K	Matsuragata	193801	194411	12	12	0	78-84	2174	241	2143	244	2120	252
K	Itsutsuumi	194405	195009	13	13	2	68-81	2174	242	2163	229	2143	224
K	Otachi	194611	195805	40	40	1	263-304-1	2165	252	2143	248	2117	257
K	Tokinishiki	195601	195909	19	19	1	133-145	2138	287	2117	290	2083	324
K	Kyushuzan	193401	194506	18	18	5	101-113-7	2137	292	2109	303	2076	338
K	Wakabayama	194706	195911	49	49	0	323-382-1	2125	316	2118	287	2103	280
K	Tomoegata	193205	194005	18	18	0	93-123	2104	352	2079	366	2050	396
K	Miyanishiki	195201	195907	28	28	0	192-228	2097	371	2062	402	2033	432

Manazuru and Shimzugawa have been the best Komusubi before 1960.

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Maegashira 1960-2005

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank	Rating 10	Rank
M1	Kokkai	200305	200507	14	10	0	116-92	2241	161	2191	189	2134	235	2120	225
M1	Asasegawa	196403	197007	29	29	0	187-235	2223	177	2197	178	2177	180	2149	194
M2	Asanobori	196903	197405	13	13	0	82-113	2220	180	2166	221	2124	242	2114	235
M1	Taiga	196907	197607	27	27	0	182-216	2218	184	2195	184	2166	193	2143	199
M1	Amanoyama	197803	198407	30	30	0	198-252	2217	187	2186	199	2161	201	2131	215
M1	Kushimaumi	198903	199809	58	35	0	430-423	2208	197	2196	183	2181	170	2165	165
M1	Roho	200401	200507	10	6	0	86-62	2197	213	2124	275	2098	292	2091	282
M2	Kinoarashi	198203	199101	23	14	2	157-180	2184	228	2141	253	2101	288	2065	335
M1	Daiyu	196305	197209	43	43	0	295-349	2178	234	2158	233	2146	219	2132	213
M1	Yoshinohana	196411	197303	36	36	0	233-296	2177	235	2166	223	2144	222	2116	229
M1	Hananokuni	198803	199401	36	24	0	244-274	2174	239	2155	236	2134	233	2096	266
M2	Daishoyama	199005	199509	31	22	2	227-235	2174	240	2165	224	2150	216	2116	228
M2	Misogidori	196609	196905	14	14	0	88-107	2172	244	2143	247	2115	262	2107	245
M3	Hanahikari	196511	197001	25	25	0	170-205	2162	253	2134	259	2114	264	2095	267
M2	Tokibayama	196709	197407	36	36	0	237-299	2161	254	2141	254	2125	241	2108	241
M1	Dairyugawa	196809	197711	26	26	0	161-228	2154	258	2143	243	2114	265	2087	294
M1	Aogiyama	199111	200311	68	36	3	473-525	2151	264	2129	268	2112	271	2089	290
M1	Futatsuryu	195209	196009	36	36	0	239-301	2150	265	2141	252	2121	246	2091	283
M2	Wakanoumi	197207	197709	21	21	1	144-171	2149	268	2146	241	2127	238	2115	231
M2	Shinkawa	195903	196107	15	15	0	107-114	2147	273	2142	249	2120	250	2115	232
M1	Tochioyama	196301	197201	34	34	1	222-270	2147	276	2144	242	2134	234	2114	233
M3	Tokitsuumi	199705	200507	48	39	2	345-363	2146	277	2142	250	2122	244	2100	257
M2	Kirinishiki	198607	199501	48	32	3	327-368	2144	279	2132	264	2116	260	2100	258
M1	Wakatenryu	196109	196901	29	29	0	193-237	2141	282	2123	280	2103	281	2080	301
M2	Asasekiryu	200207	200507	19	15	0	146-136	2138	289	2119	285	2086	319	2061	343
M1	Higonoumi	199207	200211	59	51	4	388-469	2137	291	2114	297	2102	285	2094	268
M1	Zaonishiki	197611	198209	24	24	0	148-211	2136	295	2126	270	2098	293	2076	314
M1	Tenryu	197301	197609	16	16	0	107-132	2132	302	2117	289	2095	298	2090	286
M1	Toyonoumi	198811	199903	63	30	0	450-494	2131	305	2121	283	2108	274	2093	271
M2	Misugiiso	197711	198605	35	35	0	231-286	2128	309	2115	296	2105	278	2088	292
M2	Oginohana	198907	199807	54	26	1	405-395	2127	310	2121	282	2112	269	2094	269
M1	Ryuo	197011	197603	28	28	0	181-237	2127	312	2117	288	2107	275	2091	281
M1	Kotobeppu	198907	199709	32	25	2	208-261	2125	314	2110	301	2095	299	2057	355
M3	Kototsubaki	198909	199411	31	14	1	228-227	2125	317	2111	300	2082	325	2049	375
M2	Minatofuji	199201	200207	61	45	1	418-492	2123	319	2116	293	2102	284	2090	284
M1	Wakasegawa	198301	199207	34	33	0	217-278	2123	320	2120	284	2112	272	2101	255
M1	Kotoryu	199407	200505	58	49	4	402-430	2121	321	2112	299	2105	277	2098	262
M1	Aminishiki	200001	200507	34	29	0	243-257	2119	323	2115	295	2101	286	2077	310
M2	Yoshioyama	196911	197409	16	16	0	98-141	2112	332	2097	328	2081	326	2077	311
M3	Atagoyama	195703	196005	17	17	0	102-118	2112	334	2085	355	2048	402	2037	407
M2	Asanosho	199303	200007	38	31	2	266-292	2112	335	2104	314	2087	318	2069	326
M3	Udagawa	196001	196507	31	31	0	206-258	2112	336	2090	343	2073	343	2057	354
M4	Kiraiho	198901	199605	38	25	0	267-302	2112	337	2087	351	2074	341	2053	363
M2	Kaizan	195301	196107	42	42	0	294-333	2107	344	2100	319	2091	310	2078	308
M1	Shikishima	199305	200101	44	27	1	302-341	2107	345	2093	336	2078	332	2061	345
M1	Narutoumi	194910	196011	44	44	0	294-357-1	2107	346	2091	342	2072	344	2057	358
M1	Kasugafuji	198901	199609	46	42	1	319-370	2103	356	2098	326	2091	311	2083	297
M3	Owashi	197211	197611	18	18	0	114-156	2101	359	2099	322	2080	328	2074	319
M3	Kitakachidoki	198901	200007	69	48	1	479-554	2099	363	2096	331	2090	315	2081	300
M1	Enazakura	198711	199403	39	26	0	270-314	2098	366	2095	334	2089	316	2063	339
M1	Tochisakae	199803	200507	31	22	3	228-207	2097	368	2081	363	2067	351	2044	387
M4	Shiratayama	197103	197507	14	14	0	87-122	2097	369	2086	354	2060	368	2054	362
M1	Asanowaka	199301	200503	74	52	0	519-590	2096	372	2081	360	2072	345	2064	337
M3	Gojoro	199507	200505	49	17	4	343-351	2091	379	2062	399	2042	414	2019	445
M1	Tsunenishiki	195803	196409	26	26	0	164-223-1	2090	382	2072	378	2056	377	2030	421
M1	Wakasugiyama	195903	196611	21	21	0	126-186	2088	387	2066	391	2036	427	2023	438
M3	Kiminishiki	196107	196609	21	21	0	138-166	2087	390	2067	387	2052	390	2045	379
M2	Shishiho	197909	198603	17	17	0	99-146	2085	391	2067	388	2040	418	2032	417
M3	Amatsukaze	196201	196601	16	16	0	96-132	2085	392	2079	367	2067	354	2064	336
M2	Tochitsurugi	198203	198705	28	28	0	186-234	2083	396	2082	359	2079	331	2067	330
M1	Sasshunada	198609	199207	35	19	0	239-286	2082	397	2070	381	2056	375	2025	431
M1	Fujinoshin	198609	199005	17	14	1	109-137	2081	402	2069	383	2050	398	2042	391
M1	Buyuzan	200005	200507	28	22	0	197-212	2080	404	2073	376	2060	367	2031	419
M4	Tokitsunada	199009	199905	49	19	0	356-373	2079	405	2078	369	2069	348	2048	376
M6	Wakanaruto	196301	196903	20	20	0	133-166	2078	406	2075	371	2062	363	2053	364
M8	Iwanami	197707	198111	16	16	1	102-135	2075	410	2064	394	2044	411	2038	403
M1	Ganyu	199201	200003	30	23	0	189-251	2075	411	2064	395	2052	387	2029	426
M6	Oiteyama	196005	196701	16	16	1	107-133	2075	414	2060	407	2043	413	2038	404
M4	Fukudayama	195903	196109	15	15	0	100-122	2075	415	2057	413	2041	416	2038	405
M1	Hidanohana	198009	198901	26	25	0	157-232	2073	418	2068	385	2052	388	2026	430
M3	Daishi	199305	200203	54	23	0	371-425	2071	422	2068	386	2058	371	2030	422
M6	Jumonji	199801	200507	35	25	1	252-270	2067	429	2062	398	2046	407	2023	436
M8	Wakanokuni	195911	196807	23	23	0	138-201	2063	437	2042	442	2025	448	2013	457
M4	Hoshikabuto	195505	196303	26	26	0	170-217	2057	444	2042	441	2018	460	1997	477
M6	Kiryugawa	194711	196001	18	18	1	121-145	2056	446	2021	472	1987	494	1972	509
M6	Kinkaiyama	199801	200507	39	17	1	281-298	2049	464	2031	458	2016	463	2003	469
M4	Otsukasa	199601	200507	53	24	0	375-420	2047	465	2032	454	2017	461	2002	472
M6	Izuminada	195405	196007	28	28	0	190-221-1	2037	479	2029	462	2007	473	1982	492
M9	Kiyosegawa	195903	196311	19	19	0	114-170	2029	487	2014	482	2001	479	1998	475
M10	Oikawa	195709	196101	21	21	0	147-163	2026	489	2017	478	2003	478	1994	481
M8	Yoshinomine	195505	196211	25	25	1	157-214	2022	493	2010	486	1985	496	1971	512

Kokkai is leading this table. Well, the probability that he'll finish his career as moto-Maegashira is quite low so let me conclude that Asasegawa has been the best career Maegashira of all time. He was ranked between M1 and M4 13 times with 4 kachi-koshi, but never got into Sanyaku.

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Maegashira 1927-1959

Rank	Shikona	First	Last	Basho	Makuuchi	Kyujo	W-L-D	Peak	Rank	Rating 3	Rank	Rating 6	Rank
M1	Orochiyama	192701	193010	15	15	1	57-95-1	2241	158	2209	166	2166	192
M2	Hoshikabuto	192701	193103	14	14	4	65-65	2233	170	2204	171	2184	167
M1	Kashimanada	193805	194611	17	17	0	110-115	2230	173	2175	211	2145	220
M2	Sotogahama	192701	193401	21	21	3	101-113	2220	181	2207	167	2168	190
M2	Shinobuyama	192901	193201	12	12	1	67-58-1	2215	189	2207	168	2205	151
M3	Rainomine	192701	193201	20	20	1	100-114	2200	208	2196	182	2181	169
M3	Matsunosato	193905	194506	12	12	1	84-78	2182	229	2138	257	2121	248
M1	Tamaikari	192803	193201	15	15	1	75-88-1	2181	231	2172	218	2155	210
M1	Yoshinoyama	192701	193301	25	25	1	101-170	2178	233	2155	234	2132	236
M4	Ikedagawa	192705	193003	12	12	0	49-82	2166	247	2107	307	2072	346
M2	Ryuozan	193805	194401	10	10	0	54-79-1	2151	261	2109	305	2086	320
M1	Wakahitachi	192701	193010	14	14	0	54-98	2151	262	2106	310	2057	373
M2	Tsukubane	193301	193805	11	11	0	51-73	2145	278	2088	348	2057	374
M2	Tsurugidake	192705	193201	17	17	1	62-123	2144	280	2090	345	2051	391
M2	Banshinzan	193401	193905	11	11	0	56-72-1	2134	298	2104	312	2066	358
M1	Kashiwado	194105	194901	16	16	0	80-107	2132	301	2123	277	2092	306
M2	Hitachidake	192701	193010	15	15	1	65-94	2132	303	2093	338	2067	353
M1	Onobori	195101	195605	20	20	1	136-159	2131	304	2123	278	2090	313
M1	Futamiyama	194105	194706	11	11	1	56-69	2128	307	2113	298	2097	296
M1	Dewaminato	195305	195801	20	20	0	135-146	2128	308	2100	320	2060	365
M3	Takaragawa	192705	193405	20	20	1	102-114	2127	311	2123	276	2113	266
M2	Kusunishiki	194506	195401	24	24	0	147-178	2126	313	2086	352	2051	392
M1	Tokachiiwa	194405	195105	17	17	0	90-102	2125	315	2117	291	2094	301
M4	Yamatonishiki	193105	194305	12	12	2	80-80	2120	322	2106	308	2100	289
M3	Kuganishiki	194001	194711	16	16	0	84-118-2	2119	325	2064	393	2039	419
M1	Wakasegawa	193001	193401	15	15	1	63-98	2113	330	2098	327	2068	349
M6	Fujinosato	193005	194205	14	14	1	75-96	2111	338	2104	313	2081	327
M1	Tatekabuto	193405	194301	16	16	1	92-119-1	2110	340	2075	372	2051	393
M2	Futaseyama	194810	195605	28	28	0	181-223	2109	341	2088	350	2066	356
M2	Kaikozan	193201	193901	13	13	1	68-83	2106	348	2089	346	2077	334
M5	Taroyama	192801	193405	20	20	1	95-123	2106	349	2094	335	2076	337
M1	Orochigata	194805	195705	33	33	0	213-255	2103	355	2096	332	2074	340
M2	Shiraiwa	192701	192909	11	11	1	39-76-1	2102	358	2045	430	2016	465
M1	Koganoura	192901	193405	20	20	1	78-132	2101	360	2081	362	2061	364
M3	Wakaminato	193801	194506	16	16	0	93-121	2094	374	2077	370	2063	362
M6	Asahikari	192701	193003	13	13	1	57-75	2093	376	2088	349	2079	330
M3	Komatsuyama	194001	194506	11	11	0	46-72	2090	383	2059	409	2052	389
M1	Kiyomigawa	194005	194611	13	13	0	72-86-1	2088	385	2071	380	2050	397
M1	Katsuragawa	193405	194201	15	15	0	71-110	2088	386	2080	365	2053	384
M3	Shachinosato	193701	194706	18	18	0	84-135-2	2087	389	2062	401	2030	439
M1	Shimanishiki	195209	195905	31	31	0	211-246-1	2082	398	2067	389	2054	379
M2	Kinkazan	193105	193901	10	10	2	47-63-1	2082	399	2051	427	2027	443
M2	Tsunenoyama	194905	195609	27	27	0	183-202	2082	400	2072	377	2053	383
M8	Hitachishima	192701	193201	15	15	1	64-71	2081	401	2067	390	2046	406
M6	Osegawa	195403	195907	21	21	0	148-161	2077	408	2059	408	2034	430
M2	Komanosato	193305	194101	15	15	0	74-100	2075	412	2054	420	2026	445
M3	Onami	193301	194101	15	15	1	81-102	2075	413	2038	450	2010	468
M1	Yakatayama	194105	195205	25	25	1	141-172-1	2074	416	2064	396	2054	382
M9	Mutsunosato	194101	194810	11	11	2	72-70	2072	420	2043	436	2028	442
M4	Jintozan	193901	194511	15	15	0	88-109	2072	421	2055	416	2034	429
M4	Aichiyama	194506	195303	21	21	0	125-155	2066	430	2053	425	2033	431
M2	Tsurugamine	193705	194706	19	19	1	98-137	2066	432	2054	419	2039	420
M1	Dewanohana	193202	194005	13	13	3	67-76	2065	434	2038	449	2012	467
M4	Toshuzan	193301	193901	13	13	0	64-86	2065	436	2054	422	2038	425
M3	Onoumi	194411	195105	16	16	0	87-107-3	2063	438	2042	440	2021	454
M5	Ayawaka	193405	194205	15	15	0	89-95	2059	442	2039	444	2020	458
M3	Hirosegawa	194301	195805	43	43	0	261-321	2057	445	2043	437	2032	434
M2	Kiyoenami	194901	195901	36	36	0	237-294	2056	448	2043	435	2020	457
M6	Arakuma	192701	193010	16	16	0	70-105	2054	454	2044	434	2032	435
M5	Kaneminato	193405	194101	11	11	0	60-84	2053	456	2019	475	2001	480
M5	Kaminishiki	194901	195711	32	32	0	215-238	2052	457	2026	466	2008	471
M4	Aobayama	193705	194401	14	14	0	77-118-5	2052	458	2037	451	2024	450
M9	Midorikuni	194305	195009	12	12	1	67-89	2026	490	1999	499	1975	516
M12	Fujitayama	194711	195303	13	13	1	73-97	2010	506	1978	528	1958	535
M10	Hiodoshi	195001	195803	22	22	0	139-168	2008	510	1989	509	1965	530
M6	Wakashio	194105	194910	18	18	0	89-127	2006	512	1997	503	1984	498
M6	Okuma	194205	195001	10	10	2	54-69	1997	528	1989	511	1978	512
M10	Kainoyama	195009	195401	12	12	0	83-97	1995	530	1984	517	1966	529
M9	Oiwazan	194611	195305	17	17	0	91-143	1988	535	1972	533	1941	561
M12	Koinose	195705	195909	10	10	0	66-83	1988	537	1964	541	1955	539
M11	Sakurakuni	195101	195605	11	11	0	66-77-1	1966	560	1951	561	1934	572
M13	Yoshidagawa	195005	195401	11	11	0	72-93	1965	561	1946	566	1941	559
M11	Yoshiiyama	194910	195709	27	27	0	161-223-1	1964	563	1961	549	1950	550
M4	Imizugawa	193202	193801	13	13	0	61-79	1956	574	1948	564	1945	556
M16	Yasome	195605	195905	12	12	0	76-103	1944	590	1932	592	1926	587

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Wow.

[Mattjila 0]

Do some work, will you? It's like you just threw this together in a couple minutes. (Blushing...)

No, really, I agree with wow. Now I get to spend a few days^Wweeks mulling over this.

Edited July 27, 2005 by Mattjila

[Chiyozakura 130]

Unless they raise their level significantly they would be among the weak Ozeki then. The way it is now they are among the best Sekiwake of all time. Which is preferrable?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course becoming an Ozeki ist preferable. You won't become an Ozeki for nothing.You have to clear the hurdle, and if you manage to do that you have accomplished something a Sekiwake has never done.

I really wonder why being the best of the weak should be better than being among the worst of the strong?

Ah, and by the way: Great work!

[Jonosuke 28]

This is simply amazing set of work, lot of interesting stats.

As a history "otaku", I'd also like to see Hitachiyama and how he stack up against other later yokozunas like Futabayama. I noticed Musashiyama in there as well at a lower down the list but what amazing about him was his Makuuchi/Komusubi/Ozeki days prior to his promotion to Yokozuna. He got injured just prior to getting promoted to Yokozuna and he was never the same afterwards. So unfortunately taken together he appears to be a more of mediocre Yokozuna but he certainly was not an average rikishi.

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

This is simply amazing set of work, lot of interesting stats.

As a history "otaku", I'd also like to see Hitachiyama and how he stack up against other later yokozunas like Futabayama.  I noticed Musashiyama in there as well at a lower down the list but what amazing about him was his Makuuchi/Komusubi/Ozeki days prior to his promotion to Yokozuna.  He got injured just prior to getting promoted to Yokozuna and he was never the same afterwards.  So unfortunately taken together he appears to be a more of mediocre Yokozuna but he certainly was not an average rikishi.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, the ratings do factor all Makuuchi bouts, not only the ones as Yokozuna. But his career wasn't that long, in number of active basho. And he still is better than the best Ozeki of that time, so he certainly wasn't average.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

He got injured just prior to getting promoted to Yokozuna and he was never the same afterwards.

(Blushing...) Did I just imagine those 7 yusho he won after becoming Yokozuna? At any rate, what you're saying is not born out by the ratings. All of Musashimaru's really high ratings came when he was a Yokozuna; the ratings he had while Ozeki are in the ballpark for exactly that, an Ozeki, albeit a very good one.

Edited for reasons of temporary insanity.

Edited July 27, 2005 by Asashosakari

[Zentoryu 154]

He got injured just prior to getting promoted to Yokozuna and he was never the same afterwards.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

(Blushing...) Did I just imagine those 7 yusho he won after becoming Yokozuna? At any rate, what you're saying is not born out by the ratings. All of Musashimaru's really high ratings came when he was a Yokozuna; the ratings he had while Ozeki are in the ballpark for exactly that, an Ozeki, albeit a very good one.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think he's talking about Musashiyama, not Musashimaru.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I think he's talking about Musashiyama, not Musashimaru.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sheesh...apologies to Jonosuke for that blatantly stupid misreading on my part. (Oops! )

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Of course becoming an Ozeki ist preferable. You won't become an Ozeki for nothing.You have to clear the hurdle, and if you manage to do that you have accomplished something a Sekiwake has never done.

I really wonder why being the best of the weak should be better than being among the worst of the strong?

In principle I agree. Problem arises when even the question of clearing the hurdle is in doubt, magnified by a weak showing at the higher rank. Prime examples are Miyabiyama and Wakanohana III. Even when they "cleared the hurdle" it was somewhat questionable at that time. The Kyokai shouldn't have promoted Miyabiyama (like it was done with Kotomitsuki later), and as my ratings show they usually get these decisions right.

Wakanohana III is different as he fulfilled the hard criterium of two successive yusho so it was difficult to deny the promotion, especially with Futagoyama oyakata pressing behind the curtains. Still, his record in the six basho before the two yusho was just 43-21-26 and the second yusho was at 12-3, so it wasn't difficult to see the disaster looming. The year after the promotion went 59-26-5 and then it was all downhill.

In these two cases I'd honestly prefer to remember them as strong Sekiwake or Ozeki and not as disasters at Ozeki or Yokozuna.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

In these two cases I'd honestly prefer to remember them as strong Sekiwake or Ozeki and not as disasters at Ozeki or Yokozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then again, Miyabiyama isn't even a particularly strong Sekiwake once you go beyond the R3 rating, merely above-average. He really did get a huge break by getting promoted to Ozeki, compared to his actual career achievements.

[Chiyozakura 130]

Of course becoming an Ozeki ist preferable. You won't become an Ozeki for nothing.You have to clear the hurdle, and if you manage to do that you have accomplished something a Sekiwake has never done.

I really wonder why being the best of the weak should be better than being among the worst of the strong?

In principle I agree. Problem arises when even the question of clearing the hurdle is in doubt, magnified by a weak showing at the higher rank. Prime examples are Miyabiyama and Wakanohana III. Even when they "cleared the hurdle" it was somewhat questionable at that time. The Kyokai shouldn't have promoted Miyabiyama (like it was done with Kotomitsuki later), and as my ratings show they usually get these decisions right.

Wakanohana III is different as he fulfilled the hard criterium of two successive yusho so it was difficult to deny the promotion, especially with Futagoyama oyakata pressing behind the curtains. Still, his record in the six basho before the two yusho was just 43-21-26 and the second yusho was at 12-3, so it wasn't difficult to see the disaster looming. The year after the promotion went 59-26-5 and then it was all downhill.

In these two cases I'd honestly prefer to remember them as strong Sekiwake or Ozeki and not as disasters at Ozeki or Yokozuna.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Miyabiyama is a very special case because he basically had only three strong basho in Sanyaku. But those three were back to back so he passed the promotion hurdle in numbers. I also don't think that his heya advantage should be taken into consideration because as an Ozeki he did not have to face his dobeya rikishi either. So Miyabiyama had the right to become an Ozeki, but his sad career afterwards made him a weak Ozeki that deserved to lose the rank quickly. That aside he won 34 in Sanyaku over three basho which for a very short time put him above everything Wakanosato has accomlished so far. But of course a promotion can only be based on the currend situation and possibly on the expected potential. In Miyabiyama's case he completely failed to live up to his early promise.

The thing that surprises me most in your ratings is that the Yokozuna promotion criteria obviously works very well. Now there are only two good basho in a row needed for promotion so I guess "normal" Ozeki at the class of Chiyotaikai or Tochiazuma at two Ozeki Yusho each could have been lucky more often and been promoted like Wakanohana.

[Oimeru 0]

Awesome! I sure hope you computed these ratings in an automated fashion. Otherwise you are a looney :)

The ratings themselves are derived Elo-style, I presume?

Edited July 28, 2005 by Oimeru

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

Awesome! I sure hope you computed these ratings in an automated fashion. Otherwise you are a looney :)

The ratings themselves are derived Elo-style, I presume?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Of course I automated as much as possible. And who says that I'm no looney? (Bleh!) The ratings are derived with the simple Elo-style formula, yes. A more detailed explanation can be found here. The delicate part is devising a good initial rating to all rikishi who appears into the system for the first time.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

The ratings are derived with the simple Elo-style formula, yes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, a large classical -oriented string section incorporated into commercial rock and roll with Jeff Lynne! I can relate to that.

Edited July 28, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Oimeru 0]

(Laughing...)

Anyway, thank you for the link - I am enough of a math-head to be interested in the gory details!

[Randomitsuki 2,768]

Me too wow.

Thanks, Doitsuyama!

This is the quintessential Forum posting. It is the result of a great body of work. It is highly informative. It gives us something to chew on for hours and hours. And it has high entertainment value.

For instance, I've learnt some great new shikona:

Ozeki Ouchiyama (always thought this was just a Bench Sumo shikona)

Sekiwake Wakachichibu ("Gesundheit", as Moti uses to say).

Sekiwake Ho-o (in a Santa Claus mawashi?)

Sekiwake Kamikaze, active between 1942 and 1950 (well, maybe not really entertaining, but interesting).

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Sekiwake Wakachichibu ("Gesundheit", as Moti uses to say).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, Wakachichibu is from my time, and he was, together with Taihou and Tsurugamine (Terao's father) my favorite rikishi then. He was a short, fat guy, but always entertaining and full of surprises, not in an Asanowaka-esque way, but in a serious way.

[Naganoyama 5,855]

Brilliant. I loved these stats last time you posted them, but the historical data is awesome.