Both yokozuna return — with the rank's dignity at stake

Ozeki Goeido went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takayasu went 9-6 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Takakeisho moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 3.

• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 3-3-9
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 3-1-11
• Yokozuna Kisenosatolast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho 10-5
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho 9-6
• Komusubi Takakeisholast basho Maegashira 3, 10-5

And then there is Mitakeumi, who won the championship at 13-2 from Sekiwake. Now at Sekiwake, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.

Meanwhile, ozeki Tochinoshin, after finishing 5-2-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is his first kadoban since reaching the rank. His rating of 2654 remains near his career peak (No. 3 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

• Sekiwake Mitakeumilast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
• Ozeki Tochinoshinlast basho 5-2-8 ・ kadoban #1

Making their makuuchi debut: Takanosho.

Returning to makuuchi: Takanoiwa, Kotoyuki.

• Maegashira 13 Takanoiwareturning
• Maegashira 14 Takanoshodebut
• Maegashira 16 Kotoyukireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2711. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2711
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2678
• Ozeki TochinoshinELO 2654 ・ Belt Grinder
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2605 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Sekiwake MitakeumiELO 2599 ・ Forward Pusher

• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Takakeisho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 4-1; the rating model gives Kakuryu 75%
• Tamawashi (Komusubi) vs Hakuho (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 16-1; the rating model gives Tamawashi 25%
• Kisenosato (Yokozuna) vs Ikioi (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kisenosato leads 16-1; the rating model gives Kisenosato 48%