September (Aki) 1997 preview — Takanohana tops the rating chart

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. Ozeki Wakanohana went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

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

• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Takatorikilast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4
• Komusubi Musoyamalast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6

Making their makuuchi debut: Chiyotaikai, Wakanojo, Akinoshu.

Returning to makuuchi: Kushimaumi.

• Maegashira 11 Chiyotaikaidebut
• Maegashira 13 Wakanojodebut
• Maegashira 13 Kushimaumireturning
• Maegashira 15 Akinoshudebut

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2557. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2557 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2524 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2384 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2333 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Komusubi KaioELO 2321 ・ Thrower

• Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Musoyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 26-11; the rating model gives Takanohana 86%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Kyokushuzan (Maegashira 3) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 7-1; the rating model gives Kyokushuzan 8%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Kyokushuzan
• Musashimaru (Ozeki) vs Tamakasuga (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 14-3; the rating model gives Musashimaru 70%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even