Wakanohana chases the rope at March (Haru) 1997

Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takatoriki moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 1; Tosanoumi moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Kyokushuzan moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 13-2
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 12-3
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho 12-3
• Sekiwake Takatorikilast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4
• Komusubi Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Kyokushuzanlast basho Maegashira 3, 9-6

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Wakanohana 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. His pre-basho rating of 2435 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Takanonami, after finishing 6-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2, but he has fought his way out of his only previous one. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2241 sits 239 points below his peak of 2480, just No. 8 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 6-9 ・ kadoban #2

Making their makuuchi debut: Dejima, Gojoro.

• Maegashira 13 Dejimadebut
• Maegashira 16 Gojorodebut

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2597. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2597
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2450 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2435
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2420
• Sekiwake TakatorikiELO 2280 ・ Forward Pusher

• Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Kyokushuzan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 11-0; the rating model gives Takanohana 90%
• Kotoryu (Maegashira 4) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 6-0; the rating model gives Kotoryu 16%
• Wakanohana (Ozeki) vs Tamakasuga (Maegashira 6) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 13-5; the rating model gives Wakanohana 84%