Sekitori

A sekitori (関取) is a rikishi (力士, sumo wrestler) who is ranked in one of the top two professional divisions: makuuchi and jūryō.

[1] The name literally translates to having taken the barrier, as only a relatively small fraction of those who enter professional sumo achieve sekitori status.

The benefits of being a sekitori compared to lower ranked wrestlers are significant and include: The item of memorabilia most often associated with sumo wrestling is tegata (literally hand shape).

When a wrestler achieves sekitori status, he is allowed to have a fan/supporter club called a kōenkai if he has enough popularity.

These clubs often pool their money to buy the wrestler such items as his decorative apron called a keshō-mawashi.