Mongolian-born ozeki Hakuho makes his debut in the prestigious east position as the Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings on Monday for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Hakuho, who won his first career title at the summer meet by beating Miyabiyama in a playoff after posting an outstanding 14-1 record, will be aiming for promotion to sumo's ultimate rank of yokozuna with a similar showing in the July 9-23 meet at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
A promotion to grand champion after the Nagoya meet would make Hakuho the first wrestler in the modern sumo era since former grand champions Futabayama and Terukuni to achieve yokozuna status after just two basho at sumo's second-highest rank.
Meanwhile, Mongolian-born yokozuna Asashoryu, who pulled out of the summer tournament with a right elbow injury, remains the lone grand champion for the 16th consecutive tournament.