Baruto chases the rope at March (Haru) 2012

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

Ozeki Harumafuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kisenosato went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotooshu went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotoshogiku went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Aminishiki moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Gagamaru moves up to Komusubi after going 12-3 at Maegashira 10; Tochiozan moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 8.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Sekiwake Aminishikilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Gagamarulast basho Maegashira 10, 12-3
• Komusubi Tochiozanlast basho Maegashira 8, 11-4

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Baruto 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. His pre-basho rating of 2784 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

• Ozeki Barutolast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Ikioi.

Returning to makuuchi: Wakanosato, Takarafuji, Tamawashi, Hochiyama, Shotenro.

• Maegashira 13 Wakanosatoreturning
• Maegashira 14 Takarafujireturning
• Maegashira 14 Ikioidebut
• Maegashira 15 Tamawashireturning
• Maegashira 15 Hochiyamareturning
• Maegashira 16 Shotenroreturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2880. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2880 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2784
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2691 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2655
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2643 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 38-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Baruto (Ozeki) vs Gagamaru (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 3-2; the rating model gives Baruto 92%
• Myogiryu (Maegashira 1) vs Harumafuji (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 13-5; the rating model gives Myogiryu 13%