Takanohana chases the rope at March (Haru) 1994

Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Wakanohana went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went a strong 13-2 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Musoyama moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Tochinowaka moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1; Daizen moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Sekiwake, 13-2
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Sekiwake, 12-3
• Sekiwake Musoyamalast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Komusubi Tochinowakalast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7
• Komusubi Daizenlast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7

After going 7-8 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.

• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Asanowaka.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotogaume, Aogiyama.

• Maegashira 15 Asanowakadebut
• Maegashira 15 Kotogaumereturning
• Maegashira 16 Aogiyamareturning

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2424. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2424 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2346 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2345 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2337 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2300

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Tochinowaka (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 12-7; the rating model gives Akebono 84%
• Takanohana (Ozeki) vs Daizen (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 9-0; the rating model gives Takanohana 81%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Kaio (Maegashira 1) vs Wakanohana (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 15-14; the rating model gives Kaio 23%