Konishiki chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 1992

Last basho, Hokutoumi withdrew at 4-4-7 and Asahifuji sat out the entire tournament — neither yokozuna finished the tournament. Whether both can return from day one and restore the dignity of the rank is the defining question of this basho.

Ozeki Kirishima went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Akebono moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hokutoumilast basho Yokozuna, 4-4-7
• Yokozuna Asahifujilast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Kirishimalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Komusubi Akebonolast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Konishiki took the last one at 13-2. The standard is "back-to-back championships, or the equivalent" — stay at the front of the race here, and the rope becomes real. His pre-basho rating of 2344 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

• Ozeki Konishikilast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Tatsuhikari.

Returning to makuuchi: Wakashoyo, Tsunenoyama.

• Maegashira 14 Tatsuhikaridebut
• Maegashira 15 Wakashoyoreturning
• Maegashira 16 Tsunenoyamareturning

Konishiki tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2344. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Ozeki KonishikiELO 2344
• Sekiwake KotonishikiELO 2257 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki KirishimaELO 2249 ・ Belt Grinder
• Komusubi TochinowakaELO 2219
• Yokozuna HokutoumiELO 2207 ・ Forward Pusher

• Akebono (Komusubi) vs Asahifuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 3-2; the rating model gives Akebono 38%
• Konishiki (Ozeki) vs Wakanohana (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 12-8; the rating model gives Konishiki 80%
• Mitoizumi (Maegashira 1) vs Kirishima (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kirishima leads 19-14; the rating model gives Mitoizumi 27%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even