Takanohana chases the rope at July (Nagoya) 1993

Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takatoriki moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 13-2
• Komusubi Takatorikilast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Takanohana took the last one at 14-1. The standard is "back-to-back championships, or the equivalent" — stay at the front of the race here, and the rope becomes real. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

Meanwhile, ozeki Konishiki, after finishing 7-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 6, but he has fought his way out of all 5 previous ones. His pre-basho rating of 2174 is 210 points off his peak of 2384 — yet still the No. 5 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Konishikilast basho 7-8 ・ kadoban #6

Making their makuuchi debut: Minatofuji, Tomonohana.

Returning to makuuchi: Aogiyama.

• Maegashira 15 Minatofujidebut
• Maegashira 15 Aogiyamareturning
• Maegashira 16 Tomonohanadebut

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2376. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2376 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2368 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake WakanohanaELO 2250 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Sekiwake MusashimaruELO 2229 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KonishikiELO 2174

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Kyokudozan (Maegashira 3) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 8-4; the rating model gives Akebono 87%; Forward Pusher vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Akebono
• Takanohana (Ozeki) vs Kirishima (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 9-5; the rating model gives Takanohana 82%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Wakashoyo (Komusubi) vs Konishiki (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Wakashoyo leads 7-6; the rating model gives Wakashoyo 44%