Harumafuji chases the rope at July (Nagoya) 2009

Yokozuna Hakuho, who forced a playoff at 14-1 last basho, goes after the cup that slipped away. Yokozuna Asashoryu went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Kisenosato moves up to Sekiwake after going 13-2 at Maegashira 4; Kyokutenho moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2; Kotoshogiku moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 14-1
• Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Chiyotaikailast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Kisenosatolast basho Maegashira 4, 13-2
• Komusubi Kyokutenholast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7
• Komusubi Kotoshogikulast basho Maegashira 6, 10-5

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Harumafuji took the last one at 14-1. The standard is "back-to-back championships, or the equivalent" — stay at the front of the race here, and the rope becomes real. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Mokonami, Tosayutaka, Wakakoyu.

Returning to makuuchi: Kasugao.

• Maegashira 7 Mokonamidebut
• Maegashira 14 Tosayutakadebut
• Maegashira 15 Kasugaoreturning
• Maegashira 16 Wakakoyudebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2898. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2898 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2771 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2728 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2594 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake KisenosatoELO 2550 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Kotoshogiku (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 56-7; the rating model gives Hakuho 93%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kyokutenho (Komusubi) vs Asashoryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Asashoryu leads 36-2; the rating model gives Kyokutenho 22%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Asashoryu
• Harumafuji (Ozeki) vs Kisenosato (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 38-24; the rating model gives Harumafuji 78%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji