Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望
Banzuke →Takanonami chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 1998
January (Hatsu) 1998 opens on January 11. After going 12-3 two basho ago, ozeki Takanonami 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.
Banzuke Notes
Yokozuna Takanohana, who forced a playoff at 14-1 last basho, goes after the cup that slipped away. Yokozuna Akebono, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.
Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Wakanohana went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.
In the sanyaku ranks, Musoyama moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6; Kaio moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3; Kotonishiki moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 4.
- Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 14-1
- Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 0-0-15
- Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 12-3
- Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 10-5
- Sekiwake Musoyamalast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4
- Komusubi Kaiolast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7
- Komusubi Kotonishikilast basho Maegashira 4, 8-7
Rope Run
After going 12-3 two basho ago, ozeki Takanonami 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 2480 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.
- Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
New Faces in Makuuchi
Making their makuuchi debut: Kyokutenho.
Returning to makuuchi: Gojoro.
- Maegashira 15 Kyokutenhodebut
- Maegashira 16 Gojororeturning
Title Contenders (Rating)
Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2572. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.
解説 ・ InsightOne caveat: Akebono is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.
- Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2572 ・ Belt Grinder
- Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2480 ・ Thrower
- Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2462 ・ Forward Pusher
- Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2439 ・ Forward Pusher
- Ozeki WakanohanaELO 2352 ・ Pulling Pusher
Day 1 Bouts to Watch
- Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Kaio (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 28-12; the rating model gives Takanohana 85%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
- Asahiyutaka (Maegashira 4) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 5-3; the rating model gives Asahiyutaka 15%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Asahiyutaka
- Takanonami (Ozeki) vs Kotonishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanonami leads 21-19; the rating model gives Takanonami 86%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami