Hakuho chases the rope at September (Aki) 2006

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

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotooshu went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Tochiazuma went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kokkai moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 14-1
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho 8-7
• Komusubi Kokkailast basho Maegashira 5, 10-5

After winning the title at 14-1 two basho ago, ozeki Hakuho 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.

• Ozeki Hakuholast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Hochiyama, Ryuho.

Returning to makuuchi: Kasuganishiki, Shimotori.

• Maegashira 14 Hochiyamadebut
• Maegashira 15 Kasuganishikireturning
• Maegashira 16 Ryuhodebut
• Maegashira 16 Shimotorireturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2776. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2776 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HakuhoELO 2769 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake MiyabiyamaELO 2636
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2524
• Ozeki KaioELO 2512

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Kokkai (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 12-2; the rating model gives Asashoryu 90%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Hakuho (Ozeki) vs Kisenosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 45-16; the rating model gives Hakuho 87%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Baruto (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 7-5; the rating model gives Baruto 38%