Terunofuji was promoted to yokozuna on Wednesday, taking his comeback from the depths of sumo's lower divisions beyond his previous highest rank of ozeki to the top of the sport.
The Japan Sumo Association unanimously decided to promote the ozeki during an extraordinary board meeting, after Terunofuji had a 14-1 record in the just completed Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. That single loss, to tournament champion yokozuna Hakuho, prevented Terunofuji from winning three straight basho.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Gantulga Ganerdene, is now the 73rd yokozuna, the first of the Reiwa era and the fifth from Mongolia.
He will be listed opposite fellow Mongolian-born wrestler Hakuho in the banzuke ranking for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament starting Sept. 12 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Terunofuji once fell from the ozeki rank, dropping all the way to the jonidan division, the second lowest of the sport's six tiers, because of injuries to both knees among other issues.
Since the Showa era began in 1926, he is only the second wrestler promoted to yokozuna after losing the rank of ozeki. The first was Mienoumi in 1979.
The last yokozuna promotion took place following the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2017, when ozeki Kisenosato was promoted.
After the JSA's decision, a messenger from the association delivered the news to the Isegahama stable Terunofuji belongs to in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
"I humbly accept the promotion," Terunofuji said. "I will strive to improve my dignity and strength as a yokozuna by keeping my mind steadfast."
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