November (Kyushu) 1998 preview — Takanohana tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Takanohana, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Wakanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Akebono went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotonowaka moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Wakanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 12-3
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Ozeki Musashimarulast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 10-5
• Komusubi Kotonowakalast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6

Making their makuuchi debut: Oikari.

• Maegashira 15 Oikaridebut

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2497. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2497 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna WakanohanaELO 2443 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2441 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2431 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake ChiyotaikaiELO 2357 ・ Forward Pusher

• Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Kotonowaka (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 35-6; the rating model gives Takanohana 77%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kotonowaka
• Dejima (Komusubi) vs Wakanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 5-2; the rating model gives Dejima 31%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Musashimaru (Ozeki) vs Tochiazuma (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 16-8; the rating model gives Musashimaru 67%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even