53 sumo wrestlers have reached the second highest in the sport, the rank of , but have failed to rise to the top rank since the modern era of sumo began in 1927 with the merger of the Tokyo and Osaka organizations. By 2020, over 250 wrestlers have been promoted to the rank of throughout the entire history of the sport. Wrestlers who went on to be promoted to are tabulated in the list of yokozuna. Active wrestlers (May 2025) are indicated by italics.
The number of top division (championships) won by each is also listed. There is no requirement to win a championship before promotion, but a wrestler must usually have won around 33 bouts over three consecutive tournaments. Since 1927, the longest-serving of modern times have been Kaià  and Chiyotaikai who each held the rank for 65 tournaments. With five wins, Kaià  also holds the record for won in the modern era by a wrestler to never reach the rank of .
The table is up to date as of the end of the March 2026 tournament.
Any titles listed before the current system was established in 1909 are regarded as unofficial.
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Wrestler held the rank on more than one occasion.