January (Hatsu) 2013 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Ozeki Kisenosato went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kakuryu 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 Kotoshogiku went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochiozan moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Shohozan moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 14-1
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Komusubi Tochiozanlast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Shohozanlast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5

Making their makuuchi debut: Kotoyuki.

Returning to makuuchi: Sadanofuji, Takarafuji, Tochinowaka, Tamaasuka.

• Maegashira 12 Sadanofujireturning
• Maegashira 14 Takarafujireturning
• Maegashira 15 Tochinowakareturning
• Maegashira 15 Kotoyukidebut
• Maegashira 16 Tamaasukareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2879. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2879 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2737
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2644
• Ozeki KakuryuELO 2629 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Sekiwake GoeidoELO 2612 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Shohozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 15-0; the rating model gives Hakuho 88%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Tochiozan (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 26-8; the rating model gives Tochiozan 26%
• Kisenosato (Ozeki) vs Aminishiki (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 31-17; the rating model gives Kisenosato 70%