Kisenosato chases the rope at July (Nagoya) 2016

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Harumafuji went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Kotoshogiku went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Goeido went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochinoshin moves up to Sekiwake after going 10-5 at Maegashira 4; Takayasu moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 5.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 15-0
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 11-4
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Sekiwake Tochinoshinlast basho Maegashira 4, 10-5
• Komusubi Takayasulast basho Maegashira 5, 9-6

After going 13-2 two basho ago, ozeki Kisenosato put up 13-2 last basho. Another championship-level run would put yokozuna promotion in sight. His pre-basho rating of 2797 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Terunofuji, after finishing 2-13 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2, but he has fought his way out of his only previous one. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2418 sits 415 points below his peak of 2833, just No. 16 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho 13-2 ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 2-13 ・ kadoban #2

Making their makuuchi debut: Kitaharima.

Returning to makuuchi: Chiyonokuni, Toyohibiki, Kagayaki, Sadanofuji, Arawashi.

• Maegashira 9 Chiyonokunireturning
• Maegashira 13 Toyohibikireturning
• Maegashira 14 Kagayakireturning
• Maegashira 15 Kitaharimadebut
• Maegashira 15 Sadanofujireturning
• Maegashira 16 Arawashireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2926. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2926 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2797 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2719 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2686 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotoshogikuELO 2675 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Takayasu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 21-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 95%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Kotoyuki (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 2-1; the rating model gives Kotoyuki 28%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Tochinoshin (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 23-6; the rating model gives Harumafuji 76%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji