Musashimaru chases the rope at March (Haru) 1998

Yokozuna Akebono went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Takanohana, who withdrew at 8-5-2 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Takanonami went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Wakanohana went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 8-5-2
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Wakanohanalast basho 10-5

After going 12-3 two basho ago, ozeki Musashimaru took the last one at 12-3. 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 12-3 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Musashimaru tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2467. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2467 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2462 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki TakanonamiELO 2423 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2415 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake TochiazumaELO 2361 ・ Forward Pusher

• Akebono (Yokozuna) vs Kaio (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 25-6; the rating model gives Akebono 68%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Chiyotaikai (Maegashira 1) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 9-6; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 13%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Musashimaru (Ozeki) vs Kotonishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 26-18; the rating model gives Musashimaru 75%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even