Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望

Banzuke →
July (Nagoya) 2000Preview ・ opens Jul 9

Reigning champion Kaio opens an ozeki bid

July (Nagoya) 2000 opens on July 9. And then there is Kaio, who won the championship at 14-1 from Komusubi. Now at Sekiwake, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.

Banzuke Notes

Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Musashimaru, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Miyabiyama went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Dejima went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tamakasuga moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 4.

Ozeki Bid & Kadoban

Meanwhile, ozeki Musoyama, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His rating of 2497 remains near his career peak (No. 4 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

New Faces in Makuuchi

Making their makuuchi debut: Takamisakari, Sentoryu, Aminishiki.

Returning to makuuchi: Otsukasa.

Title Contenders (Rating)

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2562. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説 ・ InsightAkebono has climbed from a rating of 2431 to 2562 over the past year — the momentum is real.

One caveat: Musoyama, Musashimaru are returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.

Day 1 Bouts to Watch