September (Aki) 1998 preview — Takanohana tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Takanohana, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Wakanohana went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takatoriki moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Musoyama moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2; Dejima moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4.

• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 14-1
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Wakanohanalast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Sekiwake Takatorikilast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Musoyamalast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6
• Komusubi Dejimalast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5

Making their makuuchi debut: Tokitsuumi.

Returning to makuuchi: Toki, Akinoshu.

• Maegashira 14 Tokitsuumidebut
• Maegashira 15 Tokireturning
• Maegashira 15 Akinoshureturning

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2456. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2456
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2456
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2422 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna WakanohanaELO 2413
• Sekiwake ChiyotaikaiELO 2354 ・ Forward Pusher

• Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Musoyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 26-11; the rating model gives Takanohana 75%
• Kaio (Maegashira 1) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 25-6; the rating model gives Kaio 25%
• Wakanohana (Yokozuna) vs Tochiazuma (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 8-4; the rating model gives Wakanohana 67%