Kisenosato chases the rope at July (Nagoya) 2013

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Harumafuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Myogiryu moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 1; Shohozan moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 5; Tokitenku moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 8.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 15-0
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kotooshulast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Myogiryulast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4
• Komusubi Shohozanlast basho Maegashira 5, 8-7
• Komusubi Tokitenkulast basho Maegashira 8, 10-5

After going 10-5 two basho ago, ozeki Kisenosato put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Tokushoryu.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotoyuki, Tamawashi, Tamaasuka, Sokokurai.

• Maegashira 12 Kotoyukireturning
• Maegashira 13 Tamawashireturning
• Maegashira 14 Tamaasukareturning
• Maegashira 15 Sokokuraireturning
• Maegashira 16 Tokushoryudebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2967. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2967 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2751
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2746
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2641 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake MyogiryuELO 2611 ・ Forward Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tokitenku (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 18-1; the rating model gives Hakuho 97%
• Shohozan (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 14-3; the rating model gives Shohozan 14%
• Kisenosato (Ozeki) vs Takekaze (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 21-5; the rating model gives Kisenosato 92%