 Initially fighting under his own surname, Yachi, it took him four years to become a "sekitori".Upon reaching the second highest "jūryō" division in January 1999 he adopted the "shikona" Tochinohana.After capturing the "jūryō" "yūshō" or tournament championship with a 13-2 record, he made his debut in the top "makuuchi" division in May 2000.