Tochiazuma chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 2004

Yokozuna Asashoryu went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Musoyama went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tosanoumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 2; Tamanoshima moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Tochinonada moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 9-6
• Sekiwake Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5
• Sekiwake Tamanoshimalast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Komusubi Tochinonadalast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Tochiazuma took the last one at 13-2. 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.

• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Kokkai.

Returning to makuuchi: Ushiomaru, Kitazakura, Kaiho, Asanowaka, Hayateumi.

• Maegashira 10 Kokkaidebut
• Maegashira 14 Ushiomarureturning
• Maegashira 15 Kitazakurareturning
• Maegashira 15 Kaihoreturning
• Maegashira 16 Asanowakareturning
• Maegashira 17 Hayateumireturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2606. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2606 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2553 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2535 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2504 ・ Thrower
• Komusubi WakanosatoELO 2461 ・ Thrower

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Tochinonada (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 17-6; the rating model gives Asashoryu 77%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Tochiazuma (Ozeki) vs Wakanosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 14-10; the rating model gives Tochiazuma 63%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Wakanosato
• Toki (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 14-0; the rating model gives Toki 32%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even