 By March 1981 he had returned to sekiwake and in September 1981 he captured his first tournament championship with a 12–3 record, finishing one win ahead of "yokozuna" Wakanohana II.He was immediately promoted to sumo's second highest rank of "ōzeki".He took his second championship in January 1983 with a 14–1 score, beating Asashio in a playoff.