Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望

Banzuke →
September (Aki) 2009Preview ・ opens Sep 13

Kotooshu chases the rope at September (Aki) 2009

September (Aki) 2009 opens on September 13. After going 9-6 two basho ago, ozeki Kotooshu put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight.

Banzuke Notes

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Asashoryu went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kotomitsuki went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Harumafuji 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 Chiyotaikai went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Baruto moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 3; Aminishiki moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 5.

Rope Run

After going 9-6 two basho ago, ozeki Kotooshu put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. His pre-basho rating of 2689 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

New Faces in Makuuchi

Returning to makuuchi: Tamaasuka, Wakanosato, Hokutoriki, Masatsukasa.

Title Contenders (Rating)

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2917. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説 ・ InsightHakuho has climbed from a rating of 2811 to 2917 over the past year — the momentum is real.

A 224-point gap to second place — the data points to Hakuho alone.

Day 1 Bouts to Watch