Changes in Yokozuna & Ozeki ranks

[Pikenoyama]

With Goeido´s promotion to Ozeki, I´ve looked at statistic about changes in Yokozuna/Ozeki ranks (i. e.: ozeki promotion/demotion, yokozuna promotion, intai) since 1958. What surprised me is that average number of bashos without such a change is 2,65. I would expect much more stabile environment in upper echelons. The same average number of bashos since 2002, when I started to follow sumo, is 3.

BTW, if I am correct, by far the longest tenure of stabile bunch of Yokozunas and Ozekis is 21 bashos since Hatsu 1995 till Natsu 1998 (more than 3 years!) with Akebono and Takanohana as Yokozunas and Wakanohana, Musashimaru and Takanonami as Ozekis. It started by Takanohana´s Yok promotion and ended with the Yok promotion of his brother.

[Jakusotsu]

The same average number of bashos since 2002, when I started to follow sumo, is 3.

I guess that's mostly due to struggling Ozeki bouncing back and forth, but it's just a gut feeling. I'm surprised by that low number as well.

Ah yes, good times 1995-98 when I started watching. It never occurred to me that there could be anyone *other* than those established Yokozuna/Ozeki B-)

[Jokkamura]

With Goeido´s promotion to Ozeki, I´ve looked at statistic about changes in Yokozuna/Ozeki ranks (i. e.: ozeki promotion/demotion, yokozuna promotion, intai) since 1958. What surprised me is that average number of bashos without such a change is 2,65. I would expect much more stabile environment in upper echelons. The same average number of bashos since 2002, when I started to follow sumo, is 3.

BTW, if I am correct, by far the longest tenure of stabile bunch of Yokozunas and Ozekis is 21 bashos since Hatsu 1995 till Natsu 1998 (more than 3 years!) with Akebono and Takanohana as Yokozunas and Wakanohana, Musashimaru and Takanonami as Ozekis. It started by Takanohana´s Yok promotion and ended with the Yok promotion of his brother.

That stability was mainly caused by the differences in the kyujo rules. They were able to heal and regain strength without danger of demotion then.

[Asashosakari]

That stability was mainly caused by the differences in the kyujo rules. They were able to heal and regain strength without danger of demotion then.

Takanonami and Musashimaru didn't take any kosho during those three years, Wakanohana only once.