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

Ozeki Goeido went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takakeisho went forced a playoff at 12-3 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Hokutofuji moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Asanoyama moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 4-4-7
• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 0-2-13
• Ozeki Goeidolast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Takakeisholast basho Sekiwake, 12-3
• Komusubi Hokutofujilast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Komusubi Asanoyamalast basho Maegashira 2, 10-5

And then there is Mitakeumi, who won the championship at 12-3 from Sekiwake. Now at Sekiwake, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.

Meanwhile, ozeki Takayasu, after finishing 0-0-15 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 3, but he has fought his way out of all 2 previous ones. His rating of 2616 remains near his career peak (No. 5 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

• Sekiwake Mitakeumilast basho 12-3 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
• Ozeki Takayasulast basho 0-0-15 ・ kadoban #3

Making their makuuchi debut: Wakatakakage.

Returning to makuuchi: Takanosho, Chiyomaru, Daishomaru.

• Maegashira 12 Takanoshoreturning
• Maegashira 13 Chiyomarureturning
• Maegashira 15 Daishomarureturning
• Maegashira 16 Wakatakakagedebut

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2746. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2746
• Sekiwake MitakeumiELO 2654 ・ Forward Pusher
• Yokozuna KakuryuELO 2644
• Ozeki TakakeishoELO 2628 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakayasuELO 2616 ・ Pulling Pusher

• Kakuryu (Yokozuna) vs Asanoyama (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 2-2; the rating model gives Kakuryu 65%
• Hokutofuji (Komusubi) vs Hakuho (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 9-3; the rating model gives Hokutofuji 28%
• Goeido (Ozeki) vs Endo (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Endo leads 9-6; the rating model gives Goeido 57%