 Harumafuji reached the second highest rank of "ōzeki" in November 2008 and won his first top division championship in May 2009.Harumafuji took his second championship in July 2011, the same tournament in which Takarafuji, like Asahifuji a Kinki University graduate, made his top division debut.Homarefuji reached "jūryō" in 2012, and in September of that year Harumafuji was promoted to "yokozuna" following two consecutive 15–0 championships.