Yusho Race

There are three important Day 12 bouts:

• Wakatakakage (10-1) vs. Kotonowaka (9-2)
• Shodai (6-5) vs. Takakeisho (8-3)
• Takayasu (10-1) vs. Mitakeumi (9-2)

Victories by the two leaders would give them a two-win cushion with 3 days to go, all but eliminating others from contention. Losses by both would give us a 4-way tie, potentially with Takakeisho (and … checks notes … Tochinoshin?!) lurking just one win behind.

Ozeki

O2w Mitakeumi has his 8 wins in his debut at the rank. O1w Takakeisho (8-3) has cleared kadoban. O1e Shodai (6-5) needs to go 2-2 or better the rest of the way to avoid dropping to:

Sekiwake

S1e Wakatakakage (10-1) will continue at his current rank. S1w Abi (6-5) needs two wins to hold rank, and one to limit his fall to:

Komusubi

K1e Takanosho (2-9) will be fighting in the maegashira ranks in May. K1w Hoshoryu (5-6) needs a finish of 3-1 or better to avoid joining him.

The leading candidates to claim the 1-3 san’yaku slots that could be available are M7e Takayasu (10-1), M2e Ichinojo (7-4), M6w Kotonowaka (9-2), M4e Kiribayama (7-4), M4w Endo (7-4), and M1e Daieisho (5-6), who would jump to the head of the queue with a kachi-koshi by virtue of his status as the top maegashira. In with a chance are M2w Tamawashi (5-6), M3e Onosho (5-6), and M6e Hokutofuji (6-5).

Makuuchi/Juryo Exchanges

In deep trouble unless they win out: Ichiyamamoto, Kagayaki, Akua.

Still need two wins for safety: Kotokuzan, Chiyonokuni, Chiyomaru.

Needs one win for safety: Ishiura.

Coming up: Oho.

Almost certainly coming up: Azumaryu.

Chance of promotion: Midorifuji, Mitoryu, Tsurugisho.

Long shots: Hidenoumi, Kitanowaka, and a few others who must win out and hope for chaos.