Akinoshima, Kotonishiki share the lead at 8 wins

Takatoriki, Musashimaru, Takanonami, Kaio, Takanohana, Akebono trail by one. 6 days remain.

• Maegashira 10 Akinoshima8-1 ・ W8
• Sekiwake Kotonishiki8-1
• Maegashira 12 Takatoriki7-2 ・ W5
• Ozeki Musashimaru7-2
• Ozeki Takanonami7-2
• Maegashira 1 Kaio7-2
• Ozeki Takanohana7-2
• Yokozuna Akebono7-2

Wakashoyo (Maegashira 2) beat Musashimaru (Ozeki) by Uwatenage — pre-basho ratings gave just a 14% chance. He had trailed their head-to-head 6-9, which makes it count double.

• Maegashira 2 Wakashoyo3-6

Ozeki Takanohana, bidding for yokozuna, stands at 7-2 — 6 wins short of the 13-win benchmark.

• Ozeki Takanohana7-2 ・ yokozuna bid

3 rikishi had their winning or losing records decided today.

• Maegashira 10 Akinoshimakachi-koshi (8-1)
• Maegashira 4 Takamisugimake-koshi (1-8)
• Sekiwake Kotonishikikachi-koshi (8-1)

• Akebono (Yokozuna, 7-2) vs Misugisato (Maegashira 1, 4-5) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 16-6; the rating model gives Akebono 89%; Pulling Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Misugisato
• Takanonami (Ozeki, 7-2) vs Tomonohana (Maegashira 5, 3-6) →head-to-head: Takanonami leads 5-2; the rating model gives Takanonami 85%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami
• Kotonishiki (Sekiwake, 8-1) vs Kasugafuji (Maegashira 7, 5-4) →head-to-head: Kotonishiki leads 5-4; the rating model gives Kotonishiki 79%