Kadoban pressure on Terunofuji at March (Haru) 2017

Yokozuna Hakuho went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kakuryu, who withdrew at 5-6-4 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Harumafuji, who withdrew at 4-3-8 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Kisenosato, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships.

Ozeki Goeido withdrew at 8-5-2 last basho — lasting the full fifteen days comes first.

In the sanyaku ranks, Mitakeumi moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 5-6-4
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 4-3-8
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho Ozeki, 14-1
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Ozeki, 8-5-2
• Komusubi Mitakeumilast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4

ozeki Terunofuji, after finishing 4-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 4, but he has fought his way out of all 3 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2389 sits 444 points below his peak of 2833, just No. 20 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 4-11 ・ kadoban #4

Making their makuuchi debut: Ura.

Returning to makuuchi: Daieisho, Kyokushuho, Tokushoryu.

• Maegashira 11 Daieishoreturning
• Maegashira 12 Uradebut
• Maegashira 14 Kyokushuhoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Tokushoryureturning

Kisenosato tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2803. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna KisenosatoELO 2803 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2736 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2695 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2648 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki GoeidoELO 2629 ・ Thrower

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Shodai (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 10-3; the rating model gives Hakuho 80%; Thrower vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Mitakeumi (Komusubi) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 8-6; the rating model gives Mitakeumi 40%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
• Harumafuji (Yokozuna) vs Kotoshogiku (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kotoshogiku leads 35-30; the rating model gives Harumafuji 81%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji