East and West Ozeki

[afnaveils]

Can someone explain what is the meaning or one's understanding of East Ozeki and West Ozeki?

[afnaveils]

Sorry, I should have posted the previous post in the American Ranchu Society. Fred can you do something?

[johnatoranchu]

These are Japanese ranking terms. Basically East Ozeki is the winner, First, Grand Champion, or whatever terminology you prefer to use.
West Ozeki comes next, second, Reserve Champion.
John

[suphi]

Ranchu ranking is patterned after Sumo's. East rank is considered more prestigious than West rank. There're multiple theories as to why that is but in general the Japanese (and Chinese) seem to have a preference for the east in anything.

There's also Yokozuna title (grand champion) which is above Ozeki (champion).

[afnaveils]

I think that for Yokozuna the ranchu must win Ozeki a few times.:youtellme:

[johnatoranchu]

I think that for Yokozuna the ranchu must win Ozeki a few times.:youtellme:

Yokozuna is not a "normal" ranking, it is a very rare title indeed. To earn that title a Ranchu must have gained East Oseki rankings in Tosai, Nisai and Oya classes - a very rare animal indeed as it must mature quickly enough to win the baby (tosai) class one year, continue its development sufficiently and appropriately to win the nisai class the following year and then procede to adulthood to win the oya class. If this wasn't difficult enough, on its progress through the age groups it must also beat fish which have been/are being developed specifically to achieve East Oseki at EITHER tosai OR nisai OR oya levels. In my view this title should not be used in the Western World as our stage of understanding/appreciation/competition is not yet advanced enough to warrant/justify inclusion of this title.
John

[bigbettadan]

It is very rare indeed. Does not that mostly White ranchu have a chance at the AJRS this year??

Dan