 In the September 2009 tournament, fighting from the "maegashira" 13 ranking, he recovered from 3-9 to win his last three matches and stay in the top division.He was forced to withdraw from the following tournament in November, his first absence since January 2006, after injuring his right ankle and he fell back to "jūryō" as a result.He won promotion back to the top division for July 2010 after a 10-5 score in May, but could manage only five wins on his return.