Chiyotaikai chases the rope at May (Natsu) 2004

Yokozuna Asashoryu, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Musoyama went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kyokutenho moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 2; Miyabiyama moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 15-0
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Sekiwake Kyokutenholast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5
• Komusubi Miyabiyamalast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Chiyotaikai put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. His pre-basho rating of 2588 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Kaio put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

Meanwhile, ozeki Tochiazuma, after finishing 0-3-12 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 6 — he survived 3 of 5, but fell to sekiwake 2 times. His pre-basho rating of 2443 is 250 points off his peak of 2693 — yet still the No. 5 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 0-3-12 ・ kadoban #6

Making their makuuchi debut: Hakuho.

Returning to makuuchi: Hayateumi, Takanowaka, Kobo.

• Maegashira 11 Hayateumireturning
• Maegashira 16 Hakuhodebut
• Maegashira 16 Takanowakareturning
• Maegashira 17 Koboreturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2762. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2762 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KaioELO 2591 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2588 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake WakanosatoELO 2452 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2443 ・ Forward Pusher

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Miyabiyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 34-5; the rating model gives Asashoryu 90%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) vs Tochinonada (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 20-11; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 77%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Tochinonada
• Hokutoriki (Maegashira 1) vs Kaio (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 9-2; the rating model gives Hokutoriki 18%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Kaio