Reigning champion Tochinoshin opens an ozeki bid

Yokozuna Kakuryu went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again. Yokozuna Hakuho, who withdrew at 2-3-10 last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Kisenosato, who withdrew at 1-5-9 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Takayasu went a strong 12-3 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Goeido went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Tochinoshin moves up to Sekiwake after going 14-1 at Maegashira 3; Ichinojo moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1; Chiyotairyu moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho Yokozuna, 2-3-10
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho Yokozuna, 1-5-9
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho Ozeki, 12-3
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Ozeki, 8-7
• Sekiwake Tochinoshinlast basho Maegashira 3, 14-1
• Komusubi Ichinojolast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5
• Komusubi Chiyotairyulast basho Maegashira 3, 8-7

• Sekiwake Tochinoshinlast basho 14-1 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid

Returning to makuuchi: Myogiryu, Hidenoumi, Aoiyama.

• Maegashira 15 Myogiryureturning
• Maegashira 16 Hidenoumireturning
• Maegashira 17 Aoiyamareturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2767. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2767
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2640 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Sekiwake TochinoshinELO 2601 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2584
• Komusubi IchinojoELO 2559 ・ Belt Grinder

• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Chiyotairyu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 12-0; the rating model gives Kakuryu 65%
• Takayasu (Ozeki) vs Endo (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takayasu leads 18-9; the rating model gives Takayasu 77%; Pulling Pusher vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even
• Tamawashi (Maegashira 1) vs Goeido (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Goeido leads 15-9; the rating model gives Tamawashi 50%