March (Haru) 2015 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

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. Yokozuna Kakuryu went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kisenosato went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotoshogiku 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, Terunofuji moves up to Sekiwake after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2; Okinoumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 6; Tamawashi moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 9; Myogiryu moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 8.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 15-0
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Terunofujilast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7
• Sekiwake Okinoumilast basho Maegashira 6, 9-6
• Komusubi Tamawashilast basho Maegashira 9, 10-5
• Komusubi Myogiryulast basho Maegashira 8, 9-6

Returning to makuuchi: Kitataiki, Gagamaru, Amuru.

• Maegashira 10 Kitataikireturning
• Maegashira 15 Gagamarureturning
• Maegashira 16 Amurureturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2973. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2973 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2706
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2699 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2681
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2560 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Myogiryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 20-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 97%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Tamawashi (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 8-5; the rating model gives Tamawashi 11%
• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Ichinojo (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 13-3; the rating model gives Kakuryu 77%; Pulling Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even