Sanshō (Sumo)

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Sanshō (nihongo|三賞, literally "three prizes") are the three special prizes awarded to top (Makuuchi) division sumo wrestlers for exceptional performance during a sumo honbasho or tournament. All rikishi in the top division below the rank of ōzeki are eligible.

In order to be considered for a special prize a rikishi must make a kachikoshi or majority of wins during the tournament. Otherwise the prizes are decided by a panel which includes press writers covering the tournament. There is no requirement that the prizes must be awarded, and it sometimes happens that one or more of the sanshō are not given.

The three prizes are

Shukun-shō (殊勲賞), Outstanding Performance prize
Ginō-shō (技能賞), Technique prize
Kantō-shō (敢闘賞), Fighting Spirit prize

Typically the shukun-shō is awarded to a wrestler who defeats the yokozuna or the eventual tournament winner, or who otherwise displays outstanding performance relative to his rank; the Ginō-shō to the wrestler who displays the most skillful kimarite, or techniques; and the kantō-shō to the wrestler who has most clearly fought tenaciously and to the best of his abilities. The ginō-shō is considered the most prestigious, and is also the prize most often not awarded at all.^[1]

It is a de facto standard that a newly promoted makuuchi wrestler who manages a 10-5 or better record in his first tournament will be awarded a sanshō, normally the Fighting Spirit prize. Similarly a wrestler newly promoted to the sanyaku ranks above maegashira who achieves a 10-5 record can expect a prize for his efforts.

There is no minimum or maximum limit to the number of sanshō that may be given. It is not uncommon for more than one wrestler to be awarded the same prize, and similarly there are occasions when one of the three sanshō titles is not awarded at all. For example it is unlikely that the shukun-shō will be awarded if the tournament is won 15-0 by a lone yokozuna.^{[citation needed]}

At some tournaments as many as six sanshō were awarded in total, while at others only one has been presented. Truly exceptional performances can lead to the award of two, or rarely all three, prizes to one wrestler. For example Takanohana was awarded all three on two separate occasions, the second being his first tournament victory.^[2]