Kadoban pressure on Takanonami at November (Kyushu) 1999

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 12-3, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Wakanohana, after struggling to 7-8, needs a response. Yokozuna Akebono, who withdrew at 2-2-11 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Takanohana, who withdrew at 0-3-12 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Dejima went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochiazuma moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Akinoshima moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho Yokozuna, 12-3
• Yokozuna Wakanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 7-8
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 2-2-11
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 0-3-12
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Dejimalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Sekiwake Tochiazumalast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Akinoshimalast basho Maegashira 3, 11-4

ozeki Takanonami, after finishing 3-4-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 4, but he has fought his way out of all 3 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2287 sits 193 points below his peak of 2480, just No. 11 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Takanonamilast basho 3-4-8 ・ kadoban #4

Making their makuuchi debut: Takanowaka.

Returning to makuuchi: Daizen.

• Maegashira 13 Daizenreturning
• Maegashira 14 Takanowakadebut

Musashimaru tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2522. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2522 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2471 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki DejimaELO 2454 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake KaioELO 2414 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2408 ・ Forward Pusher

• Musashimaru (Yokozuna) vs Akinoshima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 32-11; the rating model gives Musashimaru 73%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Akinoshima
• Tamakasuga (Maegashira 1) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 18-4; the rating model gives Tamakasuga 42%; Pulling Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) vs Tosanoumi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 21-10; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 58%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even