Kotoshogiku chases the rope at March (Haru) 2016

Yokozuna Harumafuji went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kakuryu went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kisenosato went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Toyonoshima moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 7; Takarafuji moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Sekiwake Toyonoshimalast basho Maegashira 7, 12-3
• Komusubi Takarafujilast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7

After going 8-6-1 two basho ago, ozeki Kotoshogiku took the last one at 14-1. The standard is "back-to-back championships, or the equivalent" — stay at the front of the race here, and the rope becomes real. His pre-basho rating of 2736 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Goeido, after finishing 4-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 3, but he has fought his way out of all 2 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2463 sits 270 points below his peak of 2733, just No. 12 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

Meanwhile, ozeki Terunofuji, after finishing 3-3-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His pre-basho rating of 2614 is 219 points off his peak of 2833 — yet still the No. 6 figure in makuuchi. The ability is there; the question is the record.

• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 4-11 ・ kadoban #3
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 3-3-9 ・ kadoban #1

Making their makuuchi debut: Daishomaru, Akiseyama.

Returning to makuuchi: Hidenoumi, Daieisho, Satoyama.

• Maegashira 12 Hidenoumireturning
• Maegashira 14 Daishomarudebut
• Maegashira 14 Daieishoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Satoyamareturning
• Maegashira 16 Akiseyamadebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2798. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2798 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2771
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2736 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2694
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2671

• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Tochiozan (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 26-8; the rating model gives Harumafuji 76%
• Takarafuji (Komusubi) vs Hakuho (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 16-2; the rating model gives Takarafuji 11%; Belt Grinder vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Toyonoshima (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 16-9; the rating model gives Kakuryu 75%