Takanonami chases the rope at May (Natsu) 1994

Yokozuna Akebono, who won the title at 12-3, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Takanohana went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Musashimaru went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kaio moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Terao moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Takanohanalast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Kaiolast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Teraolast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6

After going 13-2 two basho ago, ozeki Takanonami forced a playoff at 12-3 last basho, only to see the cup slip away. A championship — or a 13-win basho — here would meet the two-basho standard and make the rope real. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

Meanwhile, ozeki Wakanohana, after finishing 3-4-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2222 is 236 points off his peak of 2458 — yet still the No. 6 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 12-3 ・ runner-up ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 3-4-8 ・ kadoban #1

Returning to makuuchi: Minatofuji, Naminohana, Asahisato.

• Maegashira 15 Minatofujireturning
• Maegashira 15 Naminohanareturning
• Maegashira 16 Asahisatoreturning

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2441. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2441 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2352 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2333 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2279 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake KotonishikiELO 2234 ・ Forward Pusher

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Kaio (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 25-6; the rating model gives Akebono 84%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Takanonami (Ozeki) vs Tokitsunada (Maegashira 6) →head-to-head: Takanonami leads 7-3; the rating model gives Takanonami 87%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami
• Kotobeppu (Maegashira 6) vs Takanohana (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 8-1; the rating model gives Kotobeppu 14%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even