 (The others were Gōeidō, Kotoshogiku, Homasho, Toyohibiki, Toyonoshima and Tochiozan).Returning to "komusubi" in the March 2008 tournament, he lost to Asashōryū on the opening day but defeated three out of four "ōzeki" and held his rank with an 8–7 score.In May 2008 he scored another win over Asashōryū on opening day, finishing with a strong 10–5 record and a share of the Fighting Spirit prize.