March (Haru) 1993 preview — Akebono tops the rating chart

Ozeki Takanohana 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, Akinoshima moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Wakanohana moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Wakashoyo moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Ozeki, 13-2
• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho Sekiwake, 11-4
• Ozeki Konishikilast basho 10-5
• Sekiwake Akinoshimalast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Wakanohanalast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Komusubi Wakashoyolast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5

Making their makuuchi debut: Aogiyama, Tochinofuji, Hitachiryu, Higonoumi.

Returning to makuuchi: Kenko, Enazakura.

• Maegashira 13 Aogiyamadebut
• Maegashira 13 Tochinofujidebut
• Maegashira 14 Hitachiryudebut
• Maegashira 14 Kenkoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Enazakurareturning
• Maegashira 16 Higonoumidebut

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2393. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2393 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2290 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake MusashimaruELO 2227 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KonishikiELO 2217
• Komusubi KotonishikiELO 2205 ・ Belt Grinder

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Kotonishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 30-11; the rating model gives Akebono 75%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Takanohana (Ozeki) vs Tochinowaka (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 22-9; the rating model gives Takanohana 78%; Belt Grinder vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Takanonami (Maegashira 1) vs Konishiki (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takanonami leads 10-5; the rating model gives Takanonami 29%