In a scene that few could have ever foreseen, Harumafuji accepted promotion to ozeki for the second time in his career in the formal ceremony reserved for those rising to the two highest ranks of sumo, completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in Japanese sports history.
Harumafuji, flanked by stablemaster Isegahama and his wife, received the messengers from the Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday at the stable in Tokyo's Koto Ward informing him of the decision -- 3-1/2 years and spate of injuries after he last held the rank.
"I respectfully accept," the 29-year-old Mongolian said in a simple speech that was in stark contrast to the difficulties he faced getting to this point.
Harumafuji secured promotion from sekiwake for the upcoming May tournament after winning the recently completed Spring Grand Sumo Tournament with a 12-3 record for his third career title. That gave him more than enough wins to meet the general criteria of a combined 33 wins over three tournaments.
He received the news from JSA executives Takashima (former sekiwake Koboyama) and Asakayama (former ozeki Kaio), who were dispatched by the association and informed him that the vote on his promotion was unanimous.
He certainly earned it. A serious knee injury as well as health problems saw him plunge down the ranks with each tournament he missed, eventually sinking to the jonidan division -- the second lowest of the six tiers. From there, encouraged by those around him, he fought off the natural desire to retire and began an unprecedented rise back up the ranks.
Since the start of the "kadoban" system in 1969 that basically gives an ozeki a chance to quickly regain his rank -- by posting a winning record in the tournament following a losing one; or by posting 10 wins in the tournament after being demoted -- only one other wrestler had made it back after falling as low as the maegashira rank in the makuuchi division.
That was Kaiketsu in 1977, and it took him seven tournaments to regain the ozeki rank. That Harumafuji has needed 20 tournaments is testament to his determination and tenacity.
Harumafuji, whose real name is Gantulga Ganerdene, first came to Japan to attend Tottori Johoku High School, a sumo powerhouse, then entered the pro ranks in 2011. Tall with power, he quickly climbed up the ranks and won his first career title at the Summer tournament in 2015, which earned him to promotion to ozeki at age 23.
Regarded as being on the track to yokozuna, injuries derailed his hopes and sent him the opposite direction. His stay as ozeki lasted for 14 tournaments.
After missing all of four consecutive tournaments, he found himself at the rank of No. 48 jonidan in March 2019. But that is where he turned it all around, posting a 7-0 record against overmatched opponents. Any further doubts about his ability were laid to rest at the November tournament that year, when he won his second career title as a No. 17 maegashira -- the lowest rank in the makuuchi division.
"When I was in the jonidan, I never imagined myself in this position today," Terunofuji said following the Wednesday's ceremony.
At the ceremony after his first promotion to ozeki, he said, "I will devote myself and aim to rise higher," but opted to keep it simple this time.
"My feelings have not changed from the first time," Terunofuji said. "I will work hard to do everything I can to aim for the top."
Said stablemaster Isegahama, "He had it rough for a long time. This is the result of not succumbing and by keep fighting. His perseverance brought him to this point."
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