Zabuton throwing

Zabuton throwing occurs when a yokozuna - the highest ranked sumo wrestler is defeated by a lower-ranked rikishi. Sometimes the spectators throw the zabuton out of a sense of gratitude for a lower-ranked rikishi who has successfully defeated the yokozuna, and sometimes they throw the zabuton out of disappointment for a yokozuna who they thought deserved to win. When a major upset occurs, the entire audience is excited, and they seem to throw their excitement onto the zabuton at the moment the match is decided. Although the excitement of the audience can be felt when watching zabuton-throwing on TV, it is now often banned because it is considered a dangerous act.