September (Aki) 2008 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Baruto moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 5; Asasekiryu moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 15-0
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho Yokozuna, 3-3-9
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Barutolast basho Maegashira 5, 10-5
• Komusubi Asasekiryulast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7

Making their makuuchi debut: Kitataiki, Tamawashi.

Returning to makuuchi: Kasugao.

• Maegashira 13 Kitataikidebut
• Maegashira 15 Tamawashidebut
• Maegashira 15 Kasugaoreturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2811. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2811 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2690 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotomitsukiELO 2582 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake HarumafujiELO 2580 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2567

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Asasekiryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 13-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 88%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Baruto (Komusubi) vs Asashoryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 9-0; the rating model gives Baruto 21%
• Kotomitsuki (Ozeki) vs Miyabiyama (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kotomitsuki leads 24-17; the rating model gives Kotomitsuki 66%