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

Ozeki Shodai went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation. Ozeki Asanoyama went a strong 11-4 last basho and belongs in the title conversation.

In the sanyaku ranks, Daieisho moves up to Komusubi after going 13-2 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 0-0-15
• Yokozuna Kakuryulast basho 0-0-15
• Ozeki Shodailast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Ozeki Asanoyamalast basho Ozeki, 11-4
• Komusubi Daieisholast basho Maegashira 1, 13-2

And then there is Daieisho, who won the championship at 13-2 from Maegashira 1. Now at Komusubi, another double-digit basho would put an ozeki run firmly on the table.

Meanwhile, ozeki Takakeisho, after finishing 2-8-5 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 3 — he survived 1 of 2, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2506 sits 170 points below his peak of 2676, just No. 10 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

• Komusubi Daieisholast basho 13-2 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
• Ozeki Takakeisholast basho 2-8-5 ・ kadoban #3

Returning to makuuchi: Tsurugisho, Hidenoumi, Daiamami.

• Maegashira 14 Tsurugishoreturning
• Maegashira 15 Hidenoumireturning
• Maegashira 16 Daiamamireturning

Hakuho tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2720. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2720
• Ozeki ShodaiELO 2635 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Ozeki AsanoyamaELO 2631 ・ Belt Grinder
• Komusubi DaieishoELO 2628 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake TerunofujiELO 2622

• Hakuho (Yokozuna) vs Daieisho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hakuho leads 8-2; the rating model gives Hakuho 63%
• Shodai (Ozeki) vs Mitakeumi (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Mitakeumi leads 22-17; the rating model gives Shodai 67%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Takarafuji (Maegashira 1) vs Asanoyama (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Asanoyama leads 9-2; the rating model gives Takarafuji 29%; Belt Grinder vs Belt Grinder — style matchup is even