Kadoban pressure on Chiyotaikai at May (Natsu) 2009

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Asashoryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Harumafuji went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotomitsuki went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kakuryu moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Tochiozan moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 15-0
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Komusubi Kakuryulast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Tochiozanlast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7

ozeki Chiyotaikai, after finishing 2-13 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 17 — he survived 12 of 16, but fell to sekiwake 4 times. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2375 sits 214 points below his peak of 2589, just No. 18 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 2-13 ・ kadoban #17

Returning to makuuchi: Toyohibiki, Bushuyama.

• Maegashira 11 Toyohibikireturning
• Maegashira 15 Bushuyamareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2904. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2904 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2707 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2642 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2598
• Sekiwake BarutoELO 2550

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 38-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kakuryu (Komusubi) vs Asashoryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 7-0; the rating model gives Kakuryu 21%; Pulling Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Kotooshu (Ozeki) vs Goeido (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kotooshu leads 14-11; the rating model gives Kotooshu 60%