Asashoryu chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 2003

Last basho, Musashimaru withdrew at 4-2-9 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 Tochiazuma went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takanonami moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 4-2-9
• Yokozuna Takanohanalast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Komusubi Takanonamilast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Asashoryu took the last one at 14-1. 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.

Meanwhile, ozeki Chiyotaikai, after finishing 6-3-6 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 8 — he survived 4 of 7, but fell to sekiwake 3 times. His rating of 2516 remains near his career peak (No. 5 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kaio, after finishing 2-2-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 4, but he has fought his way out of all 3 previous ones. His pre-basho rating of 2517 is 151 points off his peak of 2668 — yet still the No. 4 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Asashoryulast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 6-3-6 ・ kadoban #8
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 2-2-11 ・ kadoban #4

Making their makuuchi debut: Takanotsuru, Kasugao.

Returning to makuuchi: Kasuganishiki, Otsukasa, Kobo.

• Maegashira 11 Kasuganishikireturning
• Maegashira 12 Takanotsurudebut
• Maegashira 13 Otsukasareturning
• Maegashira 13 Kasugaodebut
• Maegashira 14 Koboreturning

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

• Yokozuna TakanohanaELO 2660 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki AsashoryuELO 2602 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2575 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2517 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2516 ・ Forward Pusher

• Wakanosato (Komusubi) vs Takanohana (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takanohana leads 9-0; the rating model gives Wakanosato 17%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Wakanosato
• Asashoryu (Ozeki) vs Tosanoumi (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 18-6; the rating model gives Asashoryu 79%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Kyokutenho (Maegashira 2) vs Musoyama (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kyokutenho leads 12-11; the rating model gives Kyokutenho 37%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even