In order to be considered for a special prize, a rikishi must make a kachi-koshi or majority of wins during the tournament.
Among eligible rikishi, the prize winners are decided by a panel which includes press writers covering the tournament.
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 san'yaku ranks above maegashira who achieves a 10-5 record can expect a prize for his efforts.
[citation needed] Sanshō are announced before the final day's matches, sometimes with a condition that the wrestler must win their last bout to receive the prize.