Kadoban pressure on Kotooshu at January (Hatsu) 2008

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 12-3, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Asashoryu, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Chiyotaikai went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotomitsuki went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Dejima moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Dejimalast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5

ozeki Kotooshu, after finishing 2-5-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2411 sits 278 points below his peak of 2689, just No. 15 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 2-5-8 ・ kadoban #1

Making their makuuchi debut: Kiyoseumi.

Returning to makuuchi: Iwakiyama, Shimotori.

• Maegashira 13 Iwakiyamareturning
• Maegashira 14 Shimotorireturning
• Maegashira 16 Kiyoseumidebut

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

• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2800 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2743 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotomitsukiELO 2607 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki ChiyotaikaiELO 2575
• Sekiwake HarumafujiELO 2569 ・ Thrower

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Dejima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 10-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 80%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kotoshogiku (Komusubi) vs Asashoryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 15-1; the rating model gives Kotoshogiku 14%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Chiyotaikai (Ozeki) vs Kisenosato (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Chiyotaikai leads 13-8; the rating model gives Chiyotaikai 62%