Do new Makuuchi rikishi win on momentum?

Conclusion

First-time Makuuchi rikishi averaged 7.42 wins and made kachi-koshi exactly half the time. That is only slightly above returning Makuuchi rikishi and long-serving rank-and-file rikishi. Momentum exists, but the Makuuchi wall remains high for everyone.

Methodology

Period

2000 Hatsu Basho～2026 Natsu Basho

Sample

Basho went to Makuuchi Kunio for the first time and took 15 bouts.

Sample size

New entrance 200Basho, re-entry 396Basho, current entrance 30Basho or more3,166Basho

Calculation

New recruits average 7.42 wins, winning record rate 50.0%

comparison

Re-enrollers have 7.23 wins and 48.0%, veteran Hiramaku have 7.28 wins and 48.2%.

How to read this

Rikishi whose first Makuuchi KunioBanzuke is immediately after the start of data is excluded.