Kaio chases the rope at September (Aki) 2003

Last basho, Asashoryu withdrew at 5-5-5 and Musashimaru withdrew at 2-4-9 — 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 Chiyotaikai went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Musoyama went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Miyabiyama moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Toki moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4; Tosanoumi moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 5-5-5
• Yokozuna Musashimarulast basho 2-4-9
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 10-5
• Sekiwake Miyabiyamalast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Tokilast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5
• Komusubi Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 5, 10-5

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Kaio took the last one at 12-3. 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 Tochiazuma, after finishing 7-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 5 — he survived 2 of 4, but fell to sekiwake 2 times. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2351 sits 342 points below his peak of 2693, just No. 13 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 12-3 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 7-8 ・ kadoban #5

Making their makuuchi debut: Kakizoe, Wakatoba.

Returning to makuuchi: Shimotori, Yotsukasa.

• Maegashira 11 Kakizoedebut
• Maegashira 12 Shimotorireturning
• Maegashira 13 Wakatobadebut
• Maegashira 13 Yotsukasareturning

Kaio tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2578. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Ozeki KaioELO 2578 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2540 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2531 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna MusashimaruELO 2490 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake WakanosatoELO 2479 ・ Thrower

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Tosanoumi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 18-6; the rating model gives Asashoryu 72%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Toki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 9-3; the rating model gives Kaio 80%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Takamisakari (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 9-3; the rating model gives Takamisakari 30%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even