January (Hatsu) 2026 preview — Onosato tops the rating chart

Ozeki Kotozakura went 8-7 last basho and looks to build on it. Ozeki Aonishiki went won the title at 12-3 last basho and looks to build on it.

In the sanyaku ranks, Kirishima moves up to Sekiwake after going 11-4 at Maegashira 2; Wakamotoharu moves up to Komusubi after going 8-7 at Maegashira 2.

• Yokozuna Hoshoryulast basho Yokozuna, 12-3
• Yokozuna Onosatolast basho Yokozuna, 11-4
• Ozeki Kotozakuralast basho 8-7
• Ozeki Aonishikilast basho Sekiwake, 12-3
• Sekiwake Kirishimalast basho Maegashira 2, 11-4
• Komusubi Wakamotoharulast basho Maegashira 2, 8-7

Making their makuuchi debut: Asahakuryu, Hatsuyama.

Returning to makuuchi: Asanoyama.

• Maegashira 16 Asanoyamareturning
• Maegashira 17 Asahakuryudebut
• Maegashira 17 Hatsuyamadebut

Onosato tops the pre-basho ELO chart at 2741. On the numbers, these five headline the title race.

• Yokozuna OnosatoELO 2741 ・ Forward Pusher
• Ozeki AonishikiELO 2711 ・ Belt Grinder
• Yokozuna HoshoryuELO 2707 ・ Thrower
• Sekiwake KirishimaELO 2601 ・ Thrower
• Ozeki KotozakuraELO 2578 ・ Forward Pusher

• Hoshoryu (Yokozuna) vs Wakamotoharu (Komusubi) →head-to-head: Hoshoryu leads 19-5; the rating model gives Hoshoryu 73%; Thrower vs Belt Grinder — style matchup slightly favors Hoshoryu
• Ichiyamamoto (Maegashira 1) vs Onosato (Yokozuna) →head-to-head: Onosato leads 4-1; the rating model gives Ichiyamamoto 15%; Forward Pusher vs Forward Pusher — style matchup is even
• Kotozakura (Ozeki) vs Yoshinofuji (Maegashira 1) →head-to-head: Kotozakura leads 4-0; the rating model gives Kotozakura 64%; Forward Pusher vs Thrower — style matchup slightly favors Yoshinofuji