Kyokudozan takes a gold star off yokozuna Akebono

Kenko, Takanohana, Akebono trail by one. 9 days remain.

• Komusubi Wakanohana6-0 ・ W6
• Maegashira 14 Kenko5-1 ・ W4
• Ozeki Takanohana5-1
• Yokozuna Akebono5-1

Kyokudozan (Maegashira 2) defeated yokozuna Akebono by Shitatehineri for a kinboshi gold star. It is career kinboshi No. 1.

• Maegashira 2 Kyokudozan4-2

Kenko (Maegashira 14) beat Terao (Maegashira 9) by Yorikiri — pre-basho ratings gave just a 32% chance. He had trailed their head-to-head 2-7, which makes it count double.

Enazakura (Maegashira 15) beat Kototsubaki (Maegashira 9) by Oshidashi — pre-basho ratings gave just a 34% chance.

• Maegashira 14 Kenko5-1
• Maegashira 15 Enazakura2-4

• Akebono (Yokozuna, 5-1) vs Wakashoyo (Komusubi, 4-2) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 8-1; the rating model gives Akebono 79%
• Takanohana (Ozeki, 5-1) vs Daishoho (Maegashira 5, 4-2) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 11-2; the rating model gives Takanohana 81%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Daishoho
• Wakanohana (Komusubi, 6-0) vs Kitakachidoki (Maegashira 8, 4-2) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 10-4; the rating model gives Wakanohana 74%; Pulling Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kitakachidoki