Tochiazuma chases the rope at March (Haru) 2006

Yokozuna Asashoryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Roho moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2; Miyabiyama moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Komusubi Roholast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6
• Komusubi Miyabiyamalast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

After going 2-2-11 two basho ago, ozeki Tochiazuma took the last one at 14-1. 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 Chiyotaikai, after finishing 4-4-7 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 13 — he survived 8 of 12, but fell to sekiwake 4 times. His pre-basho rating stands at 2500 (No. 5 in makuuchi); the fifteen days ahead will show whether he can turn it around.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kaio, after finishing 3-6-6 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 10 — he survived 8 of 9, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2452 sits 216 points below his peak of 2668, just No. 7 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 4-4-7 ・ kadoban #13
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 3-6-6 ・ kadoban #10

Returning to makuuchi: Tochinonada, Tamakasuga, Otsukasa, Ushiomaru, Buyuzan.

• Maegashira 12 Tochinonadareturning
• Maegashira 15 Tamakasugareturning
• Maegashira 15 Otsukasareturning
• Maegashira 16 Ushiomarureturning
• Maegashira 17 Buyuzanreturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2764. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2764 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2654 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake HakuhoELO 2631 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2590
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2500

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Miyabiyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 34-5; the rating model gives Asashoryu 83%
• Tochiazuma (Ozeki) vs Roho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 6-2; the rating model gives Tochiazuma 81%
• Tamanoshima (Maegashira 1) vs Kotooshu (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kotooshu leads 8-2; the rating model gives Tamanoshima 30%