Harumafuji chases the rope at September (Aki) 2011

Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Baruto went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotooshu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Toyonoshima moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2; Aran moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Barutolast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Toyonoshimalast basho Maegashira 2, 9-6
• Komusubi Aranlast 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: Masunoyama, Yoshiazuma, Takanoyama.

Returning to makuuchi: Tamaasuka, Kokkai, Hochiyama.

• Maegashira 9 Masunoyamadebut
• Maegashira 13 Yoshiazumadebut
• Maegashira 13 Tamaasukareturning
• Maegashira 15 Takanoyamadebut
• Maegashira 16 Kokkaireturning
• Maegashira 17 Hochiyamareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2922. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2922 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2720 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake KotoshogikuELO 2656 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2654
• Sekiwake KakuryuELO 2653 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Aran (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 12-0; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%
• Harumafuji (Ozeki) vs Toyonoshima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 36-11; the rating model gives Harumafuji 73%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Homasho (Maegashira 1) vs Baruto (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 14-4; the rating model gives Homasho 19%