Basho Preview ・ 場所前展望
Banzuke →Both yokozuna return — with the rank's dignity at stake
March (Haru) 2020 opens on March 8. Last basho, Hakuho withdrew at 1-3-11 and Kakuryu withdrew at 1-4-10 — neither yokozuna finished the tournament. Whether both can return from day one and restore the dignity of the rank is the defining question of this basho.
Banzuke Notes
Ozeki Takakeisho went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.
In the sanyaku ranks, Shodai moves up to Sekiwake after going 13-2 at Maegashira 4; Hokutofuji moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 2; Endo moves up to Komusubi after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1.
- Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 1-3-11
- Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 1-4-10
- Ozeki Takakeisholast basho 11-4
- Sekiwake Shodailast basho Maegashira 4, 13-2
- Komusubi Hokutofujilast basho Maegashira 2, 11-4
- Komusubi Endolast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
New Faces in Makuuchi
Making their makuuchi debut: Kotozakura.
Returning to makuuchi: Nishikigi, Daiamami.
- Maegashira 14 Nishikigireturning
- Maegashira 17 Daiamamireturning
- Maegashira 18 Kotozakuradebut
Title Contenders (Rating)
Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2728. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.
解説 ・ InsightHakuho's rating has slipped from 2813 to 2728 over the year — the chasers have an opening.
A 109-point gap to second place — the data points to Hakuho alone.
One caveat: Hakuho is returning from a layoff — whether the numbers hold is an open question.
- Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2728 ・ Thrower
- Ozeki TakakeishoELO 2619 ・ Forward Pusher
- Komusubi HokutofujiELO 2610 ・ Forward Pusher
- Sekiwake AsanoyamaELO 2608 ・ Belt Grinder
- Sekiwake ShodaiELO 2562 ・ Pulling Pusher
Day 1 Bouts to Watch
- Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Endo (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 14-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 75%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hakuho
- Daieisho (Maegashira 1) vs Kakuryu (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Kakuryu leads 5-2; the rating model gives Daieisho 42%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even
- Takakeisho (Ozeki) vs Takayasu (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Takakeisho leads 11-10; the rating model gives Takakeisho 70%; Forward Pusher vs Pulling Pusher — style matchup is even