Tochiazuma chases the rope at March (Haru) 2002

Last basho, Musashimaru withdrew at 1-3-11 and Takanohana sat out the entire tournament — neither yokozuna finished the tournament. Whether both can return from day one and restore the dignity of the rank is the defining question of this basho.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Takanonami moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 1-3-11
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Takanonamilast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7

After going 12-3 two basho ago, ozeki Tochiazuma took the last one at 13-2. The standard is "back-to-back championships, or the equivalent" — stay at the front of the race here, and the rope becomes real. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

After going 0-0-15 two basho ago, ozeki Chiyotaikai forced a playoff at 13-2 last basho, only to see the cup slip away. A championship — or a 13-win basho — here would meet the two-basho standard and make the rope real. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 13-2 ・ runner-up ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Shimotori, Towanoyama.

Returning to makuuchi: Takamisakari, Takatoriki.

• Maegashira 12 Shimotoridebut
• Maegashira 13 Takamisakarireturning
• Maegashira 13 Towanoyamadebut
• Maegashira 14 Takatorikireturning

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2650. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2650 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2599 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2508 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake KotomitsukiELO 2507 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2486 ・ Forward Pusher

• Musashimaru (Yokozuna) vs Takanonami (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 39-21; the rating model gives Musashimaru 77%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami
• Tochiazuma (Ozeki) vs Wakanosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 14-10; the rating model gives Tochiazuma 76%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Wakanosato
• Buyuzan (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 1-0; the rating model gives Buyuzan 21%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even