Kadoban pressure on Shodai, Takakeisho at March (Haru) 2022

Yokozuna Terunofuji went a strong 11-4 last basho and anchors the field again.

Ozeki Mitakeumi went won the title at 13-2 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Wakatakakage moves up to Sekiwake after going 9-6 at Maegashira 1; Abi moves up to Sekiwake after going 12-3 at Maegashira 6; Hoshoryu moves up to Komusubi after going 11-4 at Maegashira 6.

• Yokozuna Terunofujilast basho 11-4
• Ozeki Mitakeumilast basho Sekiwake, 13-2
• Sekiwake Wakatakakagelast basho Maegashira 1, 9-6
• Sekiwake Abilast basho Maegashira 6, 12-3
• Komusubi Hoshoryulast basho Maegashira 6, 11-4

ozeki Shodai, after finishing 6-9 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 3, but he has fought his way out of all 2 previous ones. The numbers add to the worry: his rating of 2445 sits 227 points below his peak of 2672, just No. 13 in makuuchi — thin for an ozeki. Can he summon the rank's pride anyway?

Meanwhile, ozeki Takakeisho, after finishing 1-3-11 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 5 — he survived 3 of 4, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. His pre-basho rating stands at 2547 (No. 5 in makuuchi); the fifteen days ahead will show whether he can turn it around.

• Ozeki Shodailast basho 6-9 ・ kadoban #3
• Ozeki Takakeisholast basho 1-3-11 ・ kadoban #5

Making their makuuchi debut: Kotokuzan.

Returning to makuuchi: Kotoshoho, Nishikigi, Kagayaki.

• Maegashira 14 Kotoshohoreturning
• Maegashira 16 Nishikigireturning
• Maegashira 16 Kotokuzandebut
• Maegashira 17 Kagayakireturning

Terunofuji tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2761. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna TerunofujiELO 2761
• Ozeki MitakeumiELO 2661 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake AbiELO 2576 ・ Pulling Pusher
• Sekiwake WakatakakageELO 2549 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki TakakeishoELO 2547 ・ Forward Pusher

• Terunofuji (Yokozuna) vs Hoshoryu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Terunofuji leads 10-0; the rating model gives Terunofuji 83%
• Shodai (Ozeki) vs Daieisho (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Daieisho leads 24-11; the rating model gives Shodai 45%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Ura (Maegashira 1) vs Takakeisho (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Takakeisho leads 16-4; the rating model gives Ura 36%; Technician vs Forward Pusher — style matchup slightly favors Takakeisho