July (Nagoya) 2017 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 15-0, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Harumafuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Kisenosato, who withdrew at 6-5-4 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Kakuryu, who withdrew at 1-4-10 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Terunofuji went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Goeido went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takayasu went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 15-0
• Yokozuna Harumafujilast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho Yokozuna, 6-5-4
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 1-4-10
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho Sekiwake, 11-4

Returning to makuuchi: Sadanoumi, Nishikigi, Chiyomaru, Gagamaru.

• Maegashira 14 Sadanoumireturning
• Maegashira 15 Nishikigireturning
• Maegashira 15 Chiyomarureturning
• Maegashira 16 Gagamarureturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2780. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2780 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna KisenosatoELO 2698 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2659 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna HarumafujiELO 2656 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki TerunofujiELO 2636 ・ Belt Grinder

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Kotoshogiku (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 56-7; the rating model gives Hakuho 82%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
• Yoshikaze (Komusubi) vs Harumafuji (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Harumafuji leads 10-9; the rating model gives Yoshikaze 28%; Pulling Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Harumafuji
• Kisenosato (Yokozuna) vs Mitakeumi (Sekiwake) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 6-2; the rating model gives Kisenosato 66%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even