 He achieved his first "kachi-koshi" or winning record in the top division at the third attempt in November 2012, and was promoted to maegashira 5 for the January 2013 tournament.In this "basho" he defeated his first ever "san'yaku" opponent, Tochiōzan, and came through with another winning record.Ikioi is now a "makuuchi" regular, and in the May 2014 tournament recorded an 11–4 at "maegashira" 5 and received his second special prize for Fighting Spirit.