Kadoban pressure on Chiyotaikai at May (Natsu) 2005

Yokozuna Asashoryu, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Kaio went 10-5 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, Tosanoumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Kotomitsuki moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2; Wakanosato moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 14-1
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Sekiwake Tosanoumilast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Komusubi Kotomitsukilast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6
• Komusubi Wakanosatolast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

ozeki Chiyotaikai, after finishing 6-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 11 — he survived 6 of 10, but fell to sekiwake 4 times. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2414 sits 175 points below his peak of 2589, just No. 11 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 6-9 ・ kadoban #11

Making their makuuchi debut: Katayama.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotoshogiku, Takekaze, Tokitenku, Toki.

• Maegashira 14 Kotoshogikureturning
• Maegashira 15 Takekazereturning
• Maegashira 15 Tokitenkureturning
• Maegashira 16 Katayamadebut
• Maegashira 17 Tokireturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2787. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2787 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2569 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki KaioELO 2555
• Sekiwake HakuhoELO 2539 ・ Thrower
• Komusubi KotomitsukiELO 2473 ・ Belt Grinder

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Kotomitsuki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 36-9; the rating model gives Asashoryu 86%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Tamanoshima (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 19-5; the rating model gives Kaio 68%
• Roho (Maegashira 1) vs Tochiazuma (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 6-2; the rating model gives Roho 28%