Goeido chases the rope at November (Kyushu) 2016

Yokozuna Harumafuji went a strong 12-3 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kakuryu went 10-5 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Hakuho, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

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

In the sanyaku ranks, Okinoumi moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Mitakeumi moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 5; Tamawashi moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho 12-3
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 10-5
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Kotoshogikulast basho Ozeki, 9-6
• Sekiwake Okinoumilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Mitakeumilast basho Maegashira 5, 10-5
• Komusubi Tamawashilast basho Maegashira 6, 10-5

After going 7-8 two basho ago, ozeki Goeido took the last one at 15-0. 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 2733 sits at career-peak level — the numbers back the ability.

Meanwhile, ozeki Terunofuji, 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 2396 sits 437 points below his peak of 2833, just No. 19 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 15-0 ・ champion ・ yokozuna bid
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 4-11 ・ kadoban #3

Making their makuuchi debut: Hokutofuji, Ishiura.

Returning to makuuchi: Hidenoumi, Chiyotairyu.

• Maegashira 11 Hokutofujidebut
• Maegashira 13 Hidenoumireturning
• Maegashira 14 Chiyotairyureturning
• Maegashira 15 Ishiuradebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2818. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2818 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2766 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki GoeidoELO 2733 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KisenosatoELO 2728 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2676 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Tamawashi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 8-5; the rating model gives Harumafuji 91%; Thrower vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Mitakeumi (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 8-6; the rating model gives Mitakeumi 22%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Okinoumi (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 24-1; the rating model gives Hakuho 84%; Thrower vs Thrower — style matchup is even