Tochiazuma heads a quartet of ozeki in the east spot in the rankings for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka, where the New Year meet winner will take a shot at promotion to the highest rank of yokozuna.
The rankings for the March 12-26 tournament at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium, released Monday by the Japan Sumo Association, also put Mongolian Hakuho in position to be considered for promotion to ozeki as a sekiwake on the east side following a 13-2 record in January.
Tochiazuma won his third Emperor's Cup with a 14-1 showing and denied Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu a record-breaking eighth straight tournament victory. He will be assured of yokozuna promotion with an equally strong performance this time out.