What does kadoban mean in sumo? An ozeki's last chance, explained
Kadoban means an ozeki had a losing record (8 or more losses) in the previous tournament and must win at least 8 bouts this time to keep his rank. A second losing record in a row demotes him to sekiwake.
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What you are seeing
The word kadoban isn't announced on-screen, but Japanese broadcasts and programs flag an ozeki's status, and English-language previews usually explain it before the tournament starts.
A kadoban ozeki closing in on his 8th win late in the tournament often draws a louder, more anxious reaction from the crowd than his rank alone would suggest.
Once he reaches 8 wins (kachi-koshi), the kadoban status clears immediately - there's no on-air announcement, his rank is simply safe going into the next tournament.
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What to watch next
Track an ozeki's daily record once he's coming off a losing tournament - the closer he sits to his 7th loss, the higher the stakes on every remaining bout.
If a demoted ozeki (now ranked sekiwake) wins 10 or more bouts in that first tournament back, he's restored to ozeki immediately, skipping the standard promotion review - worth knowing if you see an ozeki drop and bounce right back within a tournament or two.
None of the three ozeki in this Aki Basho are kadoban, but the status resets every tournament based on the one before it, so check an ozeki's prior result rather than assuming his rank is safe.
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A common first-timer mistake
Assuming any ozeki with a losing tournament record is demoted right away. Demotion only happens after two losing tournaments in a row - the first one just puts him on notice (kadoban).
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Words you may hear
Kadoban
an ozeki's on-notice status after a losing record, needing 8+ wins to avoid demotion
Make-koshi
a losing tournament record (8 or more losses)
Kachi-koshi
a winning tournament record (8 or more wins)
Sources and review
Created and photographed in Ryogoku by a Tokyo-based spectator. Facts reviewed against Japan Sumo Association materials on 25 August 2026.
