Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望
Banzuke →Reigning champion Mitoizumi opens an ozeki bid
September (Aki) 1992 opens on September 13. And then there is Mitoizumi, who won the championship at 13-2 from Maegashira 1. Now at Sekiwake, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.
Banzuke Notes
There is no yokozuna on this banzuke. Ozeki Kirishima, Konishiki, Akebono carry the top of the bill — and the extra weight that comes with it.
Ozeki Kirishima went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Konishiki went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.
In the sanyaku ranks, Mitoizumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 13-2 at Maegashira 1; Kyokudozan moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.
- Ozeki Kirishimalast basho Ozeki, 11-4
- Ozeki Konishikilast basho 10-5
- Sekiwake Mitoizumilast basho Maegashira 1, 13-2
- Komusubi Kyokudozanlast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6
Ozeki Bid & Kadoban
Meanwhile, ozeki Akebono, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2294 is 394 points off his peak of 2688 — yet still the No. 1 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.
- Sekiwake Mitoizumilast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
- Ozeki Akebonolast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #1
New Faces in Makuuchi
Making their makuuchi debut: Naminohana.
Returning to makuuchi: Wakashoyo, Tamakairiki, Kotoinazuma, Asahisato.
- Maegashira 13 Wakashoyoreturning
- Maegashira 14 Tamakairikireturning
- Maegashira 15 Naminohanadebut
- Maegashira 15 Kotoinazumareturning
- Maegashira 16 Asahisatoreturning
Title Contenders (Rating)
Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2294. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.
解説 ・ InsightAkebono has climbed from a rating of 2084 to 2294 over the past year — the momentum is real.
One caveat: Akebono is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.
- Ozeki AkebonoELO 2294 ・ Forward Pusher
- Ozeki KonishikiELO 2251 ・ Belt Grinder
- Ozeki KirishimaELO 2238 ・ Belt Grinder
- Sekiwake MusashimaruELO 2211 ・ Forward Pusher
- Sekiwake MitoizumiELO 2209 ・ Belt Grinder
Day 1 Bouts to Watch
- Kirishima (Ozeki) vs Kyokudozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kirishima leads 12-7; the rating model gives Kirishima 68%; Belt Grinder vs Technician — style matchup is even
- Takanohana (Komusubi) vs Konishiki (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 15-7; the rating model gives Takanohana 34%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
- Akebono (Ozeki) vs Kotonishiki (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 30-11; the rating model gives Akebono 72%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even