Reigning champion Takanohana opens an ozeki bid

Yokozuna Hokutoumi, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Konishiki went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kirishima went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takanohana moves up to Sekiwake after going 14-1 at Maegashira 2; Wakanohana moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Mitoizumi moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hokutoumilast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Konishikilast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Kirishimalast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Takanohanalast basho Maegashira 2, 14-1
• Komusubi Wakanohanalast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Mitoizumilast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

• Sekiwake Takanohanalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid

Returning to makuuchi: Toyonoumi, Oginohana, Hananokuni.

• Maegashira 10 Toyonoumireturning
• Maegashira 11 Oginohanareturning
• Maegashira 16 Hananokunireturning

Konishiki tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2348. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Ozeki KonishikiELO 2348
• Sekiwake AkebonoELO 2250 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake TakanohanaELO 2248 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna HokutoumiELO 2207 ・ Forward Pusher
• Maegashira 1 KotonishikiELO 2191 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hokutoumi (Yokozuna) vs Mitoizumi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hokutoumi leads 10-3; the rating model gives Hokutoumi 66%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Konishiki (Ozeki) vs Wakanohana (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 12-8; the rating model gives Konishiki 74%
• Kotonishiki (Maegashira 1) vs Kirishima (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kirishima leads 10-9; the rating model gives Kotonishiki 51%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even