Kadoban pressure on Hakuho at January (Hatsu) 2007

Yokozuna Asashoryu, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Tochiazuma went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 15-0
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Tochiazumalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 9-6

ozeki Hakuho, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2643 is 390 points off his peak of 3033 — yet still the No. 2 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Hakuholast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #1

Returning to makuuchi: Jumonji, Tokitsuumi, Kasuganishiki, Yoshikaze.

• Maegashira 10 Jumonjireturning
• Maegashira 12 Tokitsuumireturning
• Maegashira 13 Kasuganishikireturning
• Maegashira 13 Yoshikazereturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2842. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2842 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HakuhoELO 2643 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2569
• Sekiwake MiyabiyamaELO 2567 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki TochiazumaELO 2565 ・ Forward Pusher

• Asashoryu (Yokozuna) vs Roho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 9-0; the rating model gives Asashoryu 88%
• Kotooshu (Ozeki) vs Kisenosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kotooshu leads 29-18; the rating model gives Kotooshu 61%
• Kotoshogiku (Maegashira 1) vs Tochiazuma (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Tochiazuma leads 3-2; the rating model gives Kotoshogiku 38%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even