Kadoban pressure on Kaio at November (Kyushu) 2007

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Asashoryu, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Chiyotaikai went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotooshu went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotoshogiku moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 13-2
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Komusubi Kotoshogikulast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5

ozeki Kaio, after finishing 1-5-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 12 — he survived 10 of 11, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2453 sits 215 points below his peak of 2668, just No. 11 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 1-5-9 ・ kadoban #12

Making their makuuchi debut: Wakanoho, Wakakirin.

Returning to makuuchi: Baruto.

• Maegashira 13 Wakanohodebut
• Maegashira 15 Wakakirindebut
• Maegashira 16 Barutoreturning

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

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2800 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2762 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotomitsukiELO 2634 ・ Belt Grinder
• Komusubi HarumafujiELO 2527 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2526 ・ Forward Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Kotoshogiku (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 56-7; the rating model gives Hakuho 85%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kotomitsuki (Ozeki) vs Harumafuji (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 15-12; the rating model gives Kotomitsuki 65%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Homasho (Maegashira 1) vs Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 3-2; the rating model gives Homasho 41%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even