January (Hatsu) 2010 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

January (Hatsu) 2010 opens on January 10. 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.

Banzuke Notes

Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Harumafuji went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotomitsuki went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kaio went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

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

Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 15-0
Yokozuna Asashoryulast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 10-5
Ozeki Harumafujilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 8-7
Ozeki Kaiolast basho 8-7
Komusubi Kotoshogikulast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5

New Faces in Makuuchi

Returning to makuuchi: Hakuba, Kitataiki, Tochinonada, Koryu.

Title Contenders (Rating)

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2957. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

解説・ InsightHakuho has climbed from a rating of 2850 to 2957 over the past year — the momentum is real.

A 198-point gap to second place — the data points to Hakuho alone.

Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2957 ・ Thrower
Yokozuna AsashoryuELO 2759 ・ Technician
Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2650 ・ Thrower
Ozeki KotooshuELO 2633
Sekiwake BarutoELO 2629

Day 1 Bouts to Watch

Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Kakuryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 44-8; the rating model gives Hakuho 91%; 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 21%; Belt Grinder vs Technician — style matchup is even
Kotooshu (Ozeki) vs Toyonoshima (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Toyonoshima leads 17-16; the rating model gives Kotooshu 74%

Basho Overview Day 1 Report →