Harumafuji chases the rope at September (Aki) 2012

Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 14-1 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kisenosato went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. 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 Kotooshu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kakuryu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Aoiyama moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2; Tochinoshin moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 4.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 14-1
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Barutolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Aoiyamalast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7
• Komusubi Tochinoshinlast basho Maegashira 4, 9-6

After going 8-7 two basho ago, ozeki Harumafuji took the last one at 15-0. 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 15-0 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Asahisho.

Returning to makuuchi: Asasekiryu, Tenkaiho, Kimurayama, Fujiazuma.

• Maegashira 13 Asasekiryureturning
• Maegashira 13 Tenkaihoreturning
• Maegashira 14 Asahishodebut
• Maegashira 14 Kimurayamareturning
• Maegashira 15 Fujiazumareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2848. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2848 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki HarumafujiELO 2767
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2669 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2637 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki BarutoELO 2631

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tochinoshin (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 27-1; the rating model gives Hakuho 94%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Harumafuji (Ozeki) vs Aoiyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 15-3; the rating model gives Harumafuji 88%
• Myogiryu (Sekiwake) vs Kisenosato (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 16-5; the rating model gives Myogiryu 29%; Forward Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even