Reigning champion Kirishima opens an ozeki bid

Yokozuna Terunofuji, who sat out the entire tournament last time, returns looking to make amends.

In the sanyaku ranks, Shodai moves up to Komusubi after going 10-5 at Maegashira 1.

• Yokozuna Terunofujilast basho 0-0-15
• Komusubi Shodailast basho Maegashira 1, 10-5

Meanwhile, ozeki Takakeisho, after finishing 3-4-8 last basho, enters this one kadoban. It is kadoban No. 6 — he survived 4 of 5, but fell to sekiwake 1 time. His rating of 2605 remains near his career peak (No. 3 in makuuchi) — the ability is intact, and escape is well within reach.

• Sekiwake Kirishimalast basho 12-3 ・ champion ・ ozeki bid
• Ozeki Takakeisholast basho 3-4-8 ・ kadoban #6

Returning to makuuchi: Ichinojo, Asanoyama.

• Maegashira 13 Ichinojoreturning
• Maegashira 14 Asanoyamareturning

Kirishima tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2687. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Sekiwake KirishimaELO 2687 ・ Thrower
• Yokozuna TerunofujiELO 2625
• Ozeki TakakeishoELO 2605 ・ Forward Pusher
• Sekiwake WakamotoharuELO 2605 ・ Belt Grinder
• Sekiwake DaieishoELO 2601 ・ Forward Pusher

• Terunofuji (Yokozuna) vs Shodai (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Terunofuji leads 11-9; the rating model gives Terunofuji 67%
• Abi (Maegashira 1) vs Takakeisho (Ozeki) →head-to-head: Abi leads 9-6; the rating model gives Abi 39%; Pulling Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Kirishima (Sekiwake) vs Midorifuji (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kirishima leads 4-4; the rating model gives Kirishima 78%