The new rankings of the sumo wrestlers were announced by the Dai Nippon Sumo Association on May 3, further heightening the interest in the forthcoming main tourney, which will begin on May 9 at the Kokugikan, Tokyo. The tourney lasts for 15 days.
    With two positions newly added on both sides, the East and West senior groups is each made up of 27 grapplers.
    The East team is headed by Minanogawa, "yokozuna", and the West team is captained by Futabayama, "yokozuna", as in the spring main tourney last January.
    In the east group, no change is seen in the five highest ranking men, namely Minanogawa, Akinoumi, Maedayama, Itsutsushima and Hishuzan.
    Kasagiyama advanced two positions to become "komusubi", replacing Dewanoumi who dropped by five positions due to poor showings in the last tourney.
    Kyushuzan was reinstated to his former position, "maegashira", which he held before he was called to the colors.
    In the West team, Nayoroiwa and Tamanoumi won their former positions, "sekiwake" and "komusubi" respectively, for their fine performances in the January tourney. On the other hand, Asahikawa was demoted from "komusubi" to "maegashira".
    Six grapplers were newly ranked in the senior groups chosen from the "juryo" ranks.
    The leading wrestlers in the new rankings are: