Kadoban pressure on Kotoshogiku, Kotooshu, Baruto at November (Kyushu) 2012

Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Aminishiki moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4; Homasho moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Ozeki, 15-0
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 10-5
• Komusubi Aminishikilast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5
• Komusubi Homasholast basho Maegashira 3, 9-6

ozeki Kotoshogiku, after finishing 2-2-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating stands at 2597 (No. 5 in makuuchi); the fifteen days ahead will show whether he can turn it around.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kotooshu, after finishing 2-4-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 5, but he has fought his way out of all 4 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2489 sits 200 points below his peak of 2689, just No. 10 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

Meanwhile, ozeki Baruto, after finishing 1-3-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2567 is 217 points off his peak of 2784 — yet still the No. 6 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 2-2-11 ・ kadoban #1
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 2-4-9 ・ kadoban #5
• Ozeki Barutolast basho 1-3-11 ・ kadoban #1

Making their makuuchi debut: Jokoryu.

Returning to makuuchi: Ikioi, Chiyonokuni, Yoshiazuma, Tamawashi.

• Maegashira 10 Ikioireturning
• Maegashira 14 Jokoryudebut
• Maegashira 14 Chiyonokunireturning
• Maegashira 15 Yoshiazumareturning
• Maegashira 16 Tamawashireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2847. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2847 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2846
• Ozeki KakuryuELO 2653 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2638
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2597 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Aminishiki (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 37-4; the rating model gives Hakuho 87%; Thrower vs Technician — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Homasho (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 15-3; the rating model gives Homasho 11%
• Kakuryu (Ozeki) vs Goeido (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 29-14; the rating model gives Kakuryu 68%