Kadoban pressure on Takanohana at January (Hatsu) 1994

Yokozuna Akebono, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Wakanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tomonohana moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2; Wakashoyo moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 13-2
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Komusubi Tomonohanalast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7
• Komusubi Wakashoyolast basho Maegashira 5, 8-7

ozeki Takanohana, after finishing 7-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2244 is 416 points off his peak of 2660 — yet still the No. 5 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho 7-8 ・ kadoban #1

Making their makuuchi debut: Hamanoshima.

Returning to makuuchi: Kototsubaki.

• Maegashira 14 Hamanoshimadebut
• Maegashira 16 Kototsubakireturning

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2475. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2475 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake MusashimaruELO 2308 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2290
• Sekiwake TakanonamiELO 2261 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2244 ・ Belt Grinder

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Tomonohana (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 2-0; the rating model gives Akebono 89%; Forward Pusher vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Akebono
• Wakanohana (Ozeki) vs Kotonowaka (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 24-10; the rating model gives Wakanohana 72%
• Tochinowaka (Maegashira 1) vs Takanohana (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 22-9; the rating model gives Tochinowaka 28%