noun
third lowest division (sumo)
In professional sumo, the division just above jonidan and below makushita. Wrestlers in this division are called sandanme rikishi.
彼は三段目で全勝優勝した。
He won the championship in the sandanme division with a perfect record.
三段目の取組
The bouts in the sandanme division are more intense than those in jonidan.
The division directly above sandanme; makushita is the third-highest division.
三段 (three steps/levels) + 目 (ordinal suffix), literally 'the third level'. The term refers to its position as the third division from the bottom in the sumo hierarchy.