Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望
Banzuke →Reigning champion Kotonishiki opens an ozeki bid
January (Hatsu) 1999 opens on January 10. And then there is Kotonishiki, who won the championship at 14-1 from Maegashira 12. Now at Komusubi, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.
Banzuke Notes
Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Wakanohana went 9-6 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Akebono, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.
Ozeki Musashimaru went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Takanonami went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.
In the sanyaku ranks, Tochiazuma moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Kotonishiki moves up to Komusubi after going 14-1 at Maegashira 12.
- Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 12-3
- Yokozuna Wakanohanalast basho 9-6
- Yokozuna Akebonolast basho 0-0-15
- Ozeki Musashimarulast basho 11-4
- Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 8-7
- Komusubi Tochiazumalast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
- Komusubi Kotonishikilast basho Maegashira 12, 14-1
Ozeki Bid
- Komusubi Kotonishikilast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
New Faces in Makuuchi
Making their makuuchi debut: Chiyotenzan.
Returning to makuuchi: Kinkaiyama, Dewaarashi.
- Maegashira 14 Chiyotenzandebut
- Maegashira 14 Kinkaiyamareturning
- Maegashira 15 Dewaarashireturning
Title Contenders (Rating)
Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2496. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.
解説 ・ InsightTakanohana's rating has slipped from 2572 to 2496 over the year — the chasers have an opening.
One caveat: Akebono is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.
- Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2496 ・ Belt Grinder
- Ozeki MusashimaruELO 2438 ・ Forward Pusher
- Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2431 ・ Forward Pusher
- Yokozuna WakanohanaELO 2371 ・ Pulling Pusher
- Sekiwake ChiyotaikaiELO 2371 ・ Forward Pusher
Day 1 Bouts to Watch
- Takanohana (Yokozuna) vs Kotonishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 34-14; the rating model gives Takanohana 73%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
- Kaio (Maegashira 1) vs Wakanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Wakanohana leads 15-14; the rating model gives Kaio 36%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
- Musashimaru (Ozeki) vs Tochiazuma (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 16-8; the rating model gives Musashimaru 60%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even