January (Hatsu) 2016 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kakuryu went 9-6 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kisenosato went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Terunofuji went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Kotoshogiku withdrew at 8-6-1 last basho — lasting the full fifteen days comes first. Ozeki Goeido went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Ikioi moves up to Komusubi after going 12-3 at Maegashira 4.

• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 13-2
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 9-6
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 8-6-1
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 8-7
• Komusubi Ikioilast basho Maegashira 4, 12-3

Making their makuuchi debut: Shodai, Kagayaki.

Returning to makuuchi: Takanoiwa, Jokoryu.

• Maegashira 12 Shodaidebut
• Maegashira 13 Takanoiwareturning
• Maegashira 14 Jokoryureturning
• Maegashira 16 Kagayakidebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2811. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2811 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2750
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2706 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2691
• Ozeki TerunofujiELO 2663 ・ Belt Grinder

• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Tochinoshin (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 23-6; the rating model gives Harumafuji 74%
• Ikioi (Komusubi) vs Hakuho (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 13-2; the rating model gives Ikioi 15%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Yoshikaze (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 11-8; the rating model gives Kakuryu 69%