 With both "komusubi" and both "sekiwake" having losing records in that tournament, Ikioi was promoted to "sekiwake" for the first time for the following May 2016 "basho".He became the first "sekiwake" from Isenoumi stable since Tosanoumi was promoted in 1997.He lost the rank after scoring only 4–11, but he earned a first "kinboshi" or gold star for a "yokozuna" upset in the July tournament in Nagoya, defeating Hakuhō on the ninth day.