May (Natsu) 2014 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kakuryu, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Kisenosato 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, Yoshikaze moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4; Chiyootori moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Ozeki, 14-1
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 8-7
• Komusubi Yoshikazelast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5
• Komusubi Chiyootorilast basho Maegashira 5, 9-6

Making their makuuchi debut: Arawashi, Sadanoumi.

Returning to makuuchi: Homasho, Tokitenku, Kyokushuho, Sokokurai, Chiyonokuni.

• Maegashira 7 Homashoreturning
• Maegashira 14 Tokitenkureturning
• Maegashira 15 Kyokushuhoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Sokokuraireturning
• Maegashira 16 Arawashidebut
• Maegashira 16 Chiyonokunireturning
• Maegashira 17 Sadanoumidebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2893. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2893 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2815 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2783 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake GoeidoELO 2668 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2631 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Chiyootori (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 1-0; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Yoshikaze (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 10-9; the rating model gives Yoshikaze 12%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Aoiyama (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 20-1; the rating model gives Kakuryu 90%; Pulling Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even