Wakanohana chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 1996

Yokozuna Takanohana, who forced a playoff at 12-3 last basho, goes after the cup that slipped away. Yokozuna Akebono, who withdrew at 7-3-5 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Musashimaru went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takanonami went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

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

• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 7-3-5
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Wakanohana took the last one at 12-3. 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 Wakanohanalast basho 12-3 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Tamakasuga.

• Maegashira 16 Tamakasugadebut

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2518. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2518 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2419 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2366 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2361
• Sekiwake KaioELO 2323 ・ Thrower

• Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Musoyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 26-11; the rating model gives Takanohana 84%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Takatoriki (Maegashira 1) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 31-16; the rating model gives Takatoriki 17%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Wakanohana (Ozeki) vs Mitoizumi (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 8-8; the rating model gives Wakanohana 79%