July (Nagoya) 2012 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochiozan moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 4; Myogiryu moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 2.

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

Returning to makuuchi: Tamaasuka, Takanoyama, Masunoyama, Hochiyama, Ikioi.

• Maegashira 10 Tamaasukareturning
• Maegashira 12 Takanoyamareturning
• Maegashira 13 Masunoyamareturning
• Maegashira 15 Hochiyamareturning
• Maegashira 16 Ikioireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2801. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2801 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2677 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2669
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2630 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki KakuryuELO 2626 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Toyonoshima (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 32-3; the rating model gives Hakuho 85%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kisenosato (Ozeki) vs Myogiryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 16-5; the rating model gives Kisenosato 75%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Tochiozan (Sekiwake) vs Kotoshogiku (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kotoshogiku leads 22-20; the rating model gives Tochiozan 30%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even