Kisenosato chases the rope at May (Natsu) 2016

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji went 9-6 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Goeido went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Kotoshogiku went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Terunofuji went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kotoyuki moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 1; Ikioi moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4; Kaisei moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 7; Okinoumi moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 14-1
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 9-6
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 8-7
• Sekiwake Kotoyukilast basho Maegashira 1, 12-3
• Sekiwake Ikioilast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5
• Komusubi Kaiseilast basho Maegashira 7, 11-4
• Komusubi Okinoumilast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7

After going 9-6 two basho ago, ozeki Kisenosato put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. Fifteen days begin in which he can hardly afford a single loss.

• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid

Making their makuuchi debut: Nishikigi.

Returning to makuuchi: Osunaarashi, Seiro, Endo.

• Maegashira 7 Osunaarashireturning
• Maegashira 14 Nishikigidebut
• Maegashira 14 Seiroreturning
• Maegashira 15 Endoreturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2861. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2861 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2757
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2697
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2692
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2655 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Okinoumi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 24-1; the rating model gives Hakuho 89%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even
• Kaisei (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 15-0; the rating model gives Kaisei 15%
• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Ikioi (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 12-1; the rating model gives Harumafuji 75%