Kadoban pressure on Shodai at May (Natsu) 2021

Yokozuna Hakuho, who withdrew at 2-1-12 last time, returns looking to make amends.

Ozeki Asanoyama went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Takakeisho went 10-5 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Terunofuji went won the title at 12-3 last basho and looks to build on it.

• Yokozuna Hakuholast basho 2-1-12
• Ozeki Asanoyamalast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Takakeisholast basho Ozeki, 10-5
• Ozeki Terunofujilast basho Sekiwake, 12-3

ozeki Shodai, after finishing 7-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 2, but he has fought his way out of his only previous one. His pre-basho rating stands at 2553 (No. 6 in makuuchi); the fifteen days ahead will show whether he can turn it around.

• Ozeki Shodailast basho 7-8 ・ kadoban #2

Returning to makuuchi: Ishiura, Chiyomaru, Akua.

• Maegashira 16 Ishiurareturning
• Maegashira 16 Chiyomarureturning
• Maegashira 17 Akuareturning

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

• Yokozuna HakuhoELO 2711
• Ozeki TerunofujiELO 2671
• Ozeki AsanoyamaELO 2618 ・ Belt Grinder
• Komusubi DaieishoELO 2593 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakakeishoELO 2557 ・ Forward Pusher

• Asanoyama (Ozeki) vs Daieisho (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Daieisho leads 14-8; the rating model gives Asanoyama 54%; Belt Grinder vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Wakatakakage (Maegashira 1) vs Takakeisho (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takakeisho leads 6-5; the rating model gives Wakatakakage 48%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Shodai (Ozeki) vs Hokutofuji (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Shodai leads 14-4; the rating model gives Shodai 54%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even