May (Natsu) 2012 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Ozeki Harumafuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Baruto went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kisenosato went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotoshogiku went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotooshu went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kakuryu went forced a playoff at 13-2 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Toyonoshima moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 4; Goeido moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 6; Homasho moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 13-2
• Ozeki Harumafujilast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Barutolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho Sekiwake, 13-2
• Sekiwake Toyonoshimalast basho Maegashira 4, 11-4
• Sekiwake Goeidolast basho Maegashira 6, 12-3
• Komusubi Homasholast basho Maegashira 5, 11-4

Making their makuuchi debut: Chiyotairyu, Kimikaze.

Returning to makuuchi: Kaisei.

• Maegashira 10 Chiyotairyudebut
• Maegashira 12 Kaiseireturning
• Maegashira 13 Kimikazedebut

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

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2880 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2723
• Ozeki KakuryuELO 2706 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2668
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2657

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Aminishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 37-4; the rating model gives Hakuho 92%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Harumafuji (Ozeki) vs Homasho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 15-3; the rating model gives Harumafuji 77%
• Toyonoshima (Sekiwake) vs Baruto (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Baruto leads 19-4; the rating model gives Toyonoshima 25%