Kotonishiki leads alone at 9-1

Takatoriki, Akinoshima, Takanonami, Takanohana, Akebono trail by one. 5 days remain.

• Sekiwake Kotonishiki9-1
• Maegashira 12 Takatoriki8-2 ・ W6
• Maegashira 10 Akinoshima8-2
• Ozeki Takanonami8-2
• Ozeki Takanohana8-2
• Yokozuna Akebono8-2

Kotonowaka (Maegashira 3) beat Musashimaru (Ozeki) by Uwatenage — pre-basho ratings gave just a 19% chance. He had trailed their head-to-head 13-29, which makes it count double.

• Maegashira 3 Kotonowaka4-6

Ozeki Takanohana, bidding for yokozuna, stands at 8-2 — 5 wins short of the 13-win benchmark.

• Ozeki Takanohana8-2 ・ yokozuna bid

7 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.

• Maegashira 12 Takatorikikachi-koshi (8-2)
• Maegashira 16 Aogiyamamake-koshi (2-8)
• Maegashira 5 Daishohomake-koshi (2-8)
• Komusubi Tochinowakamake-koshi (2-8)
• Ozeki Takanohanakachi-koshi (8-2)
• Ozeki Takanonamikachi-koshi (8-2)
• Yokozuna Akebonokachi-koshi (8-2)

• Akebono (Yokozuna, 8-2) vs Wakashoyo (Maegashira 2, 3-7) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 8-1; the rating model gives Akebono 91%
• Kotonishiki (Sekiwake, 9-1) vs Musashimaru (Ozeki, 7-3) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 26-18; the rating model gives Kotonishiki 32%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even