January (Hatsu) 2018 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Hakuho, who won the title at 14-1, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Kisenosato, who withdrew at 4-6-5 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Kakuryu, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Goeido went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takayasu withdrew at 8-5-2 last basho — lasting the full fifteen days comes first.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tamawashi moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 1; Takakeisho moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 14-1
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho Yokozuna, 4-6-5
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 0-0-15
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 9-6
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho 8-5-2
• Sekiwake Tamawashilast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4
• Komusubi Takakeisholast basho Maegashira 1, 11-4

Making their makuuchi debut: Abi, Ryuden.

Returning to makuuchi: Sokokurai, Yutakayama, Ishiura.

• Maegashira 12 Sokokuraireturning
• Maegashira 14 Abidebut
• Maegashira 14 Yutakayamareturning
• Maegashira 15 Ishiurareturning
• Maegashira 16 Ryudendebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2845. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2845
• Sekiwake TamawashiELO 2602 ・ Forward Pusher
• Komusubi TakakeishoELO 2570 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2566 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Maegashira 1 HokutofujiELO 2564 ・ Forward Pusher

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Onosho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 3-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 87%
• Takakeisho (Komusubi) vs Kisenosato (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Takakeisho leads 3-2; the rating model gives Takakeisho 58%
• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Hokutofuji (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 5-4; the rating model gives Kakuryu 48%