Kaio chases the rope at November (Kyushu) 2004

Yokozuna Asashoryu went 9-6 last basho and anchors the field again.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochinonada moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 8-7
• Komusubi Tochinonadalast basho Maegashira 3, 11-4

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Kaio 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. His pre-basho rating of 2654 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Musoyama, after finishing 2-7-6 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 7 — he survived 5 of 6, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2337 sits 160 points below his peak of 2497, just No. 17 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

Meanwhile, ozeki Tochiazuma, after finishing 2-2-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 7 — he survived 3 of 6, but fell to sekiwake 3 times. His pre-basho rating of 2465 is 228 points off his peak of 2693 — yet still the No. 6 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Musoyamalast basho 2-7-6 ・ kadoban #7
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 2-2-11 ・ kadoban #7

Making their makuuchi debut: Harumafuji, Kisenosato.

Returning to makuuchi: Kasugao, Tokitenku, Toki.

• Maegashira 14 Harumafujidebut
• Maegashira 15 Kasugaoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Tokitenkureturning
• Maegashira 16 Kisenosatodebut
• Maegashira 17 Tokireturning

Kaio tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2654. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Ozeki KaioELO 2654
• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2643 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake WakanosatoELO 2498 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2495
• Sekiwake MiyabiyamaELO 2468

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Tochinonada (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 17-6; the rating model gives Asashoryu 75%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Kotomitsuki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kotomitsuki leads 25-17; the rating model gives Kaio 77%
• Dejima (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 20-16; the rating model gives Dejima 37%