Musashimaru chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 1997

Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Takanohana, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Wakanohana went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Akinoshima moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 11-4
• Komusubi Akinoshimalast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Musashimaru took the last one at 11-4. 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 Musashimarulast basho 11-4 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Yamato.

Returning to makuuchi: Misugisato.

• Maegashira 14 Yamatodebut
• Maegashira 15 Misugisatoreturning

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2609. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2609 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2424 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2376
• Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2365 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2351

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Akinoshima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 30-8; the rating model gives Akebono 75%
• Oginishiki (Maegashira 6) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 12-2; the rating model gives Oginishiki 5%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Oginishiki
• Wakanohana (Ozeki) vs Kitakachidoki (Maegashira 5) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 10-4; the rating model gives Wakanohana 86%