These are the rankings that appear on the Grand Sumo banzuke. There is an east and west for every rank, with the east being slightly more prestigious.
MAKUUCHI
Inside the curtain. The top division in Grand Sumo. Always has 42 wrestlers on the banzuke. Makuuchi is the only division in Grand Sumo that is subdivided
YOKOZUNA
Horizontal rope. The top rank in Grand Sumo gets it's name from the rope that the yokozuna wears during the dohyo-iri. Only 72 men have ever achieved this rank. A yokozuna can never be demoted, but may be asked to retire if he is unable to compete at the level expected of a yokozuna. There is no limit to the number of men who can hold this rank at a given time.
OZEKI
Great barrier. The second highest rank in Grand Sumo, there is no limit to the number of men who can hold this rank at a given time. In order to progress, an ozeki must win two consecutive yusho, or the equivalent. To be demoted, an ozeki must record a make-koshi to become kadoban, then another make-koshi while kadoban. A kadoban ozeki can erase the kadoban status with a kachi-koshi.
SEKIWAKE
The third highest rank in Grand Sumo. A generally accepted baseline for promotion to ozeki requires a sekiwake must put together 33 wins in 3 consecutive basho to be promoted to ozeki. The exception to this is for a newly demoted ozeki, who can return to ozeki with 10 wins in his first tournament at sekiwake. A simple make-koshi is sufficient for a sekiwake to be demoted. There are usually only two sekiwake at any time, but there are occasional exceptions.
KOMUSUBI
Little knot. The fourth highest rank in Grand Sumo, and the first rank in san'yaku. Promotion or demotion from this rank is decided by a simple kachi-koshi or make-koshi.
MAEGASHIRA
Those ahead. The lowest ranks of the makuuchi division. Maegashira wrestlers are ranked numerically from 1 up to whatever rank fills out the 42 wrestlers required in the division. Rikishi are promoted or relegated by a kachi-koshi or make-koshi.
JURYO
Ten ryo. The second highest division in Grand Sumo. The lowest sekitori rank. rikishi are promoted or demoted by kachi-koshi or make-koshi. Juryo is limited to 28 rikishi.
MAKUSHITA
Below the curtain. The highest of the non-sekitori ranks. rikishi are promoted or relegated by a kachi-koshi or make-koshi. A rikishi who enters Grand Sumo as an amateur champion can start at makushita 10. There is no limit to the amount of rikishi who can compete in makushita.
SANDANME
Third level. There are no limits to the number of rikishi in this division. Rikishi are promoted or relegated by a kachi-koshi or make-koshi.
JONIDAN
The second lowest division in Grand Sumo. There is no limit to the number of rikishi in jonidan. Rikishi are promoted or relegated by a kachi-koshi or make-koshi.
JONOKUCHI
This is only the beginning. The first level of Grand Sumo for new rikishi after competing in maezumo. There is no limit to the number of rikishi in jonokuchi. Rikishi are promoted or relegated by a kachi-koshi or make-koshi.