Kadoban pressure on Tochiazuma, Chiyotaikai, Kaio at March (Haru) 2003

Yokozuna Musashimaru, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Asashoryu, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Musoyama went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Dejima moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 3; Tosanoumi moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 0-0-15
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho Ozeki, 14-1
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Komusubi Dejimalast basho Maegashira 3, 11-4
• Komusubi Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

ozeki Tochiazuma, after finishing 0-6-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 3 — he survived 1 of 2, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2328 sits 365 points below his peak of 2693, just No. 14 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

Meanwhile, ozeki Chiyotaikai, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 9 — he survived 4 of 8, but fell to sekiwake 4 times. His rating of 2516 remains near his career peak (No. 4 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kaio, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 5 — he survived 3 of 4, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. His pre-basho rating of 2517 is 151 points off his peak of 2668 — yet still the No. 3 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 0-6-9 ・ kadoban #3
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #9
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #5

Making their makuuchi debut: Asasekiryu, Takekaze.

Returning to makuuchi: Buyuzan, Kinkaiyama.

• Maegashira 10 Asasekiryudebut
• Maegashira 10 Buyuzanreturning
• Maegashira 12 Kinkaiyamareturning
• Maegashira 13 Takekazedebut

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

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2650 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2575 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2517 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2516 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake WakanosatoELO 2452 ・ Thrower

• Tosanoumi (Komusubi) vs Asashoryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 18-6; the rating model gives Tosanoumi 18%; Pulling Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Musoyama (Ozeki) vs Takanonami (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Musoyama leads 25-24; the rating model gives Musoyama 58%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Takanonami
• Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) vs Kyokutenho (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 28-9; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 71%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even