September (Aki) 2004 preview — Asashoryu tops the rating chart

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Musoyama went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Tochiazuma went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Miyabiyama moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 7; Kyokutenho moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 13-2
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho Sekiwake, 10-5
• Sekiwake Miyabiyamalast basho Maegashira 7, 12-3
• Komusubi Kyokutenholast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

Making their makuuchi debut: Kotooshu, Roho, Toyonoshima.

Returning to makuuchi: Tamakasuga, Takanotsuru, Kitazakura.

• Maegashira 14 Kotooshudebut
• Maegashira 14 Tamakasugareturning
• Maegashira 15 Rohodebut
• Maegashira 15 Toyonoshimadebut
• Maegashira 16 Takanotsurureturning
• Maegashira 17 Kitazakurareturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2760. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2760 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KaioELO 2594 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2538 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2484 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake WakanosatoELO 2450 ・ Thrower

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Kotomitsuki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 36-9; the rating model gives Asashoryu 87%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Kyokutenho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 34-5; the rating model gives Kaio 73%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Kaio
• Shimotori (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 7-0; the rating model gives Shimotori 29%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even