Kisenosato chases the rope at January (Hatsu) 2014

Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 13-2 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kakuryu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Myogiryu moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 14-1
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 13-2
• Ozeki Kakuryulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Komusubi Myogiryulast basho Maegashira 1, 8-7

After going 11-4 two basho ago, ozeki Kisenosato put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. His pre-basho rating of 2795 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kotoshogiku, after finishing 1-2-12 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2, but he has fought his way out of his only previous one. His pre-basho rating stands at 2612 (No. 4 in makuuchi); the fifteen days ahead will show whether he can turn it around.

• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 1-2-12 ・ kadoban #2

Making their makuuchi debut: Kagamio, Takanoiwa.

Returning to makuuchi: Chiyootori, Satoyama.

• Maegashira 12 Chiyootorireturning
• Maegashira 14 Kagamiodebut
• Maegashira 15 Takanoiwadebut
• Maegashira 16 Satoyamareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2927. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2927 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2795 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2783 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2612 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki KakuryuELO 2605 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 38-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 90%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kisenosato (Ozeki) vs Toyonoshima (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 33-9; the rating model gives Kisenosato 89%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Toyonoshima
• Okinoumi (Maegashira 1) vs Kakuryu (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 16-6; the rating model gives Okinoumi 34%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Okinoumi