September (Aki) 2007 preview — Asashoryu tops the rating chart

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotooshu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio withdrew at 8-5-2 last basho — lasting the full fifteen days comes first. Ozeki Kotomitsuki went a strong 13-2 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Asasekiryu moves up to Sekiwake after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1; Kisenosato moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 14-1
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 8-5-2
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Sekiwake, 13-2
• Sekiwake Asasekiryulast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7
• Komusubi Kisenosatolast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4

Making their makuuchi debut: Goeido.

Returning to makuuchi: Iwakiyama, Kyokutenho, Kasuganishiki.

• Maegashira 10 Iwakiyamareturning
• Maegashira 12 Kyokutenhoreturning
• Maegashira 14 Goeidodebut
• Maegashira 16 Kasuganishikireturning

Asashoryu tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2800. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2800 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2758 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotomitsukiELO 2680 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2566
• Ozeki KaioELO 2549

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Harumafuji (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 38-22; the rating model gives Hakuho 82%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) vs Kisenosato (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 13-8; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 66%
• Tokitenku (Maegashira 1) vs Kotooshu (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kotooshu leads 14-8; the rating model gives Tokitenku 42%