September (Aki) 2014 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kotoshogiku went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kisenosato went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Goeido went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Myogiryu moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6; Takekaze moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 4; Jokoryu moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 7; Chiyotairyu moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 8.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Sekiwake, 12-3
• Sekiwake Myogiryulast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4
• Sekiwake Takekazelast basho Maegashira 4, 9-6
• Komusubi Jokoryulast basho Maegashira 7, 10-5
• Komusubi Chiyotairyulast basho Maegashira 8, 10-5

Making their makuuchi debut: Ichinojo.

Returning to makuuchi: Takanoiwa, Sadanofuji.

• Maegashira 10 Ichinojodebut
• Maegashira 11 Takanoiwareturning
• Maegashira 12 Sadanofujireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2905. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2905 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2730 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2719 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki GoeidoELO 2707 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2664 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Chiyotairyu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 10-0; the rating model gives Hakuho 96%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Jokoryu (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 1-0; the rating model gives Jokoryu 11%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Jokoryu
• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Endo (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 7-0; the rating model gives Harumafuji 87%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji