 He chose to use the Unryū style of ring entrance ceremony after studying footage of previous "yokozuna" and practicing until late the previous night to master the technique.His stablemate Takayasu acted as sword carrier while Shōhōzan took the role of dew sweeper.He was listed on the west side of the new "banzuke" released on February 27, the first Japanese born wrestler to appear as a "yokozuna" on the ranking sheets since Takanohana retired in January 2003.