May (Natsu) 1996 preview — Takanohana tops the rating chart

May (Natsu) 1996 opens on May 12. Yokozuna Takanohana, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Akebono, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Banzuke Notes

Ozeki Wakanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami 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, Kotonowaka moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 4; Asahiyutaka moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 6.

Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 14-1
Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 0-0-15
Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho Ozeki, 12-3
Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Ozeki, 11-4
Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
Komusubi Kotonowakalast basho Maegashira 4, 11-4
Komusubi Asahiyutakalast basho Maegashira 6, 9-6

New Faces in Makuuchi

Returning to makuuchi: Shikishima.

Maegashira 15 Shikishimareturning

Title Contenders (Rating)

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2543. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説・ InsightA 187-point gap to second place — the data points to Takanohana alone.

One caveat: Akebono is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.

Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2543 ・ Belt Grinder
Sekiwake MusoyamaELO 2356 ・ Forward Pusher
Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2350 ・ Thrower
Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2343 ・ Forward Pusher
Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2322

Day 1 Bouts to Watch

Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Asahiyutaka (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 12-2; the rating model gives Takanohana 91%
Kotonowaka (Komusubi) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 24-3; the rating model gives Kotonowaka 32%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Kotonowaka
Wakanohana (Ozeki) vs Kotonishiki (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 25-16; the rating model gives Wakanohana 63%

Basho Overview Day 1 Report →