Kadoban pressure on Harumafuji at January (Hatsu) 2011

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Kaio went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Baruto went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotooshu went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kisenosato moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Kotoshogiku moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 14-1
• Ozeki Kaiolast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Barutolast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Sekiwake Kisenosatolast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Sekiwake Kotoshogikulast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6

ozeki Harumafuji, after finishing 0-4-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2500 sits 346 points below his peak of 2846, just No. 10 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho 0-4-11 ・ kadoban #1

Returning to makuuchi: Wakakoyu, Toyohibiki, Toyozakura.

• Maegashira 14 Wakakoyureturning
• Maegashira 15 Toyohibikireturning
• Maegashira 17 Toyozakurareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 3027. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 3027 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KaioELO 2633
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2633
• Maegashira 1 ToyonoshimaELO 2579 ・ Technician
• Sekiwake KisenosatoELO 2563 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Kakuryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 44-8; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kaio (Ozeki) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kaio leads 9-1; the rating model gives Kaio 65%
• Toyonoshima (Maegashira 1) vs Baruto (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 19-4; the rating model gives Toyonoshima 42%