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September (Aki) 2015Preview ・ opens Sep 13

September (Aki) 2015 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

September (Aki) 2015 opens on September 13. Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again.

Banzuke Notes

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji, who withdrew at 1-1-13 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Terunofuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kisenosato went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Goeido 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, Tochinoshin moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 1; Okinoumi moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 5.

New Faces in Makuuchi

Making their makuuchi debut: Daieisho.

Returning to makuuchi: Chiyootori, Sokokurai, Asasekiryu.

Title Contenders (Rating)

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

解説 ・ InsightA 194-point gap to second place — the data points to Hakuho alone.

One caveat: Harumafuji is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.

Day 1 Bouts to Watch