Takanohana chases the rope at July (Nagoya) 1994

Yokozuna Akebono, who withdrew at 10-2-3 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takatoriki moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 10-2-3
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Takatorikilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6

After going 11-4 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.

Meanwhile, ozeki Wakanohana, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2 — he survived 0 of 1, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. 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 Takanohanalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #2

Making their makuuchi debut: Daishi.

Returning to makuuchi: Oginohana, Kushimaumi.

• Maegashira 14 Oginohanareturning
• Maegashira 15 Daishidebut
• Maegashira 15 Kushimaumireturning

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2427. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2427
• Ozeki TakanohanaELO 2399 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2317 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2260 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake KotonishikiELO 2240 ・ Forward Pusher

• Takanohana (Ozeki) vs Tochinowaka (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 22-9; the rating model gives Takanohana 88%
• Takatoriki (Komusubi) vs Musashimaru (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 37-8; the rating model gives Takatoriki 29%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Takanonami (Ozeki) vs Oginishiki (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takanonami leads 10-6; the rating model gives Takanonami 67%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even