January (Hatsu) 2000 preview — Musashimaru tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 12-3, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Wakanohana, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Akebono, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Dejima went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Miyabiyama moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Wakanohanalast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Yokozuna Akebonolast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Dejimalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Miyabiyamalast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

Returning to makuuchi: Oikari, Kinkaiyama.

• Maegashira 13 Oikarireturning
• Maegashira 14 Kinkaiyamareturning

Musashimaru tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2536. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2536
• Yokozuna AkebonoELO 2471
• Sekiwake KaioELO 2471
• Ozeki DejimaELO 2415 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake TochiazumaELO 2409 ・ Forward Pusher

• Musashimaru (Yokozuna) vs Kaio (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 26-20; the rating model gives Musashimaru 59%
• Toki (Maegashira 1) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 9-0; the rating model gives Toki 28%
• Kotoryu (Maegashira 1) vs Akebono (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Akebono leads 6-0; the rating model gives Kotoryu 16%