May (Natsu) 2018 preview — Hakuho tops the rating chart

Yokozuna Kakuryu, who won the title at 13-2, goes for back-to-back championships. Yokozuna Hakuho, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends. Yokozuna Kisenosato, who sat out the entire tournament 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 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Endo moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 13-2
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 0-0-15
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho 12-3
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Endolast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6

Making their makuuchi debut: Kyokutaisei.

Returning to makuuchi: Sadanoumi, Takekaze, Aminishiki.

• Maegashira 14 Sadanoumireturning
• Maegashira 14 Takekazereturning
• Maegashira 15 Kyokutaiseidebut
• Maegashira 16 Aminishikireturning

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

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2767
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2683 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2660
• Sekiwake TochinoshinELO 2610 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake IchinojoELO 2548 ・ Belt Grinder

• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Endo (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 13-4; the rating model gives Kakuryu 73%
• Tamawashi (Maegashira 1) vs Hakuho (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 16-1; the rating model gives Tamawashi 20%
• Kaisei (Maegashira 1) vs Goeido (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Goeido leads 16-5; the rating model gives Kaisei 38%