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January (Hatsu) 2001Preview ・ opens Jan 7

January (Hatsu) 2001 preview — Akebono tops the rating chart

January (Hatsu) 2001 opens on January 7. Yokozuna Akebono, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Musashimaru went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Banzuke Notes

Yokozuna Akebono, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Musashimaru went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Dejima went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Miyabiyama went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Musoyama went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotomitsuki moves up to Sekiwake after going 13-2 at Maegashira 9; Takanowaka moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 8; Tochinonada moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 7.

New Faces in Makuuchi

Making their makuuchi debut: Asashoryu, Tamarikido.

Returning to makuuchi: Kinkaiyama, Daishi.

Title Contenders (Rating)

Akebono tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2688. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説 ・ InsightAkebono has climbed from a rating of 2471 to 2688 over the past year — the momentum is real.

A 145-point gap to second place — the data points to Akebono alone.

Day 1 Bouts to Watch