November (Kyushu) 2014 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji, who withdrew at 3-2-10 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Kotoshogiku went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kisenosato went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Goeido went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Aoiyama moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3; Ichinojo moves up to Sekiwake after going 13-2 at Maegashira 10; Ikioi moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 14-1
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 11-4
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 3-2-10
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Aoiyamalast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5
• Sekiwake Ichinojolast basho Maegashira 10, 13-2
• Komusubi Ikioilast basho Maegashira 5, 10-5

Making their makuuchi debut: Amuru.

Returning to makuuchi: Tochinoshin, Tokushoryu, Homarefuji, Kotoyuki.

• Maegashira 8 Tochinoshinreturning
• Maegashira 9 Tokushoryureturning
• Maegashira 12 Homarefujireturning
• Maegashira 14 Amurudebut
• Maegashira 16 Kotoyukireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2910. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2910 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2696 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2688
• Ozeki GoeidoELO 2623
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2618

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Ikioi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 13-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 93%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Takekaze (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 20-0; the rating model gives Takekaze 20%
• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Ichinojo (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 7-2; the rating model gives Harumafuji 79%