Kadoban pressure on Konishiki at November (Kyushu) 1993

Yokozuna Akebono, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Takanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Wakanohana went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Akinoshima moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 14-1
• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Akinoshimalast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6

ozeki Konishiki, after finishing 0-2-13 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 7, but he has fought his way out of all 6 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2152 sits 232 points below his peak of 2384, just No. 7 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Konishikilast basho 0-2-13 ・ kadoban #7

Returning to makuuchi: Kaio, Oginishiki.

• Maegashira 15 Kaioreturning
• Maegashira 16 Oginishikireturning

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2469. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2469 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2375 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake KotonishikiELO 2244 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2234 ・ Technician
• Sekiwake MusashimaruELO 2188 ・ Forward Pusher

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Akinoshima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 30-8; the rating model gives Akebono 87%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Akinoshima
• Takanohana (Ozeki) vs Kyokudozan (Maegashira 7) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 14-4; the rating model gives Takanohana 89%; Belt Grinder vs Technician — style matchup is even
• Higonoumi (Maegashira 7) vs Wakanohana (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 13-1; the rating model gives Higonoumi 20%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Higonoumi