Sanshō
Sanshō ( Japanese 三 賞 , "three prizes") are the special prizes that can be awarded to wrestlers of the Makuuchi division within the scope of a sumo tournament , provided that they achieve more wins than losses in the tournament ( Kachikoshi ). Yokozuna and Ōzeki are excluded from award.
There are a total of three different awards, each with a cash prize of 2 million yen :
- Ginō-shō ( 技能 賞 ), award for the best technique
- Shukun-shō ( 殊 勲 賞 ), award for outstanding achievement
- Kantō-shō ( 敢 闘 賞 ), award for the best fighting spirit
These prizes have been awarded by a jury of experts and journalists since November 1947, although not necessarily every prize and not necessarily every prize is awarded only once per tournament. In addition, a wrestler can also receive several of the awards.
If a fighter from the maegashira ranks succeeds in defeating a yokozuna (kinboshi), this often also leads to a shukun-shō. In this situation there is a special incentive to attain the Kachikoshi. For example, Osunaarashi won the first two yokozuna matches of his career in July 2014, but had to forego the special prize after a 7-8 makekoshi.
Only five times in the history of the sport did wrestlers manage to combine all three prizes in a single tournament: Daiju Hisateru in July 1973, Ōnishiki Ittetsu in September 1973, Takahanada Kōji in January 1992, Dejima Takeharu in July 1999 and Kotomitsuki Keiji in November 2000.
Akinoshima Katsumi , who received one of the Sanshō nineteen times, was awarded the most frequently .