Kadoban pressure on Chiyotaikai at May (Natsu) 2002

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Takanohana, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Tochiazuma went 10-5 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, Tochinonada moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 10-5
• Komusubi Tochinonadalast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7

ozeki Chiyotaikai, after finishing 7-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 7 — he survived 3 of 6, but fell to sekiwake 3 times. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2423 sits 166 points below his peak of 2589, just No. 9 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 7-8 ・ kadoban #7

Making their makuuchi debut: Hokutoriki.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotoryu, Jumonji, Tochinohana, Asanowaka.

• Maegashira 8 Kotoryureturning
• Maegashira 9 Jumonjireturning
• Maegashira 13 Tochinohanareturning
• Maegashira 14 Hokutorikidebut
• Maegashira 15 Asanowakareturning

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

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2650 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2554 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2554 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2516 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake AsashoryuELO 2493 ・ Thrower

• Musashimaru (Yokozuna) vs Wakanosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 10-5; the rating model gives Musashimaru 67%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Wakanosato
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Aminishiki (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 18-8; the rating model gives Kaio 80%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Toki (Maegashira 1) vs Tochiazuma (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 12-1; the rating model gives Toki 17%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even