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November (Kyushu) 2000Preview ・ opens Nov 5

November (Kyushu) 2000 preview — Akebono tops the rating chart

November (Kyushu) 2000 opens on November 5. Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again.

Banzuke Notes

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Akebono went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Takanohana, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. 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. Ozeki Miyabiyama went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Musoyama went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Hayateumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2; Tochinohana moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 7; Wakanosato moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 10.

New Faces in Makuuchi

Making their makuuchi debut: Wakakosho, Tamanoshima.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotomitsuki, Jumonji.

Title Contenders (Rating)

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2630. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説 ・ InsightAkebono has climbed from a rating of 2504 to 2630 over the past year — the momentum is real.

One caveat: Takanohana is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.

Day 1 Bouts to Watch