Kadoban pressure on Tochiazuma at November (Kyushu) 2002

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Takanohana went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Asashoryu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Musoyama went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotomitsuki moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 7; Kyokutenho moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3; Takanowaka moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 4.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Asashoryulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Kotomitsukilast basho Maegashira 7, 12-3
• Komusubi Kyokutenholast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7
• Komusubi Takanowakalast basho Maegashira 4, 8-7

ozeki Tochiazuma, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2 — he survived 0 of 1, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. His pre-basho rating of 2490 is 203 points off his peak of 2693 — yet still the No. 6 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #2

Making their makuuchi debut: Iwakiyama.

Returning to makuuchi: Tamarikido, Jumonji.

• Maegashira 11 Iwakiyamadebut
• Maegashira 13 Tamarikidoreturning
• Maegashira 13 Jumonjireturning

Takanohana tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2660. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2660 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2611 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2552 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2552 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki AsashoryuELO 2534 ・ Thrower

• Musashimaru (Yokozuna) vs Kyokutenho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Musashimaru leads 10-1; the rating model gives Musashimaru 85%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Takanowaka (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 8-1; the rating model gives Kaio 79%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Takanonami (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 21-7; the rating model gives Takanonami 20%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami