May (Natsu) 2010 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Ozeki Harumafuji went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotomitsuki 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 Baruto went a strong 14-1 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotoshogiku moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Tochiozan moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 15-0
• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Kotomitsukilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Ozeki Barutolast basho Sekiwake, 14-1
• Komusubi Kotoshogikulast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Komusubi Tochiozanlast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4

Returning to makuuchi: Kimurayama, Tochinonada, Wakakoyu, Koryu.

• Maegashira 12 Kimurayamareturning
• Maegashira 14 Tochinonadareturning
• Maegashira 15 Wakakoyureturning
• Maegashira 16 Koryureturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2951. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2951 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2782
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2631 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotooshuELO 2619
• Sekiwake KisenosatoELO 2572 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 38-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 96%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Harumafuji (Ozeki) vs Kotoshogiku (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kotoshogiku leads 35-30; the rating model gives Harumafuji 64%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Toyonoshima (Maegashira 1) vs Kotooshu (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Toyonoshima leads 17-16; the rating model gives Toyonoshima 30%