debuting in november 1984, he reached the second highest "jūryō" division in march 1991. his first tournament in the top "makuuchi" division was in july 1992. scoring only three wins there he fell back to "jūryō", but reappeared in "makuuchi" in march 1993. he reached his highest rank of "komusubi" in may 1995. he fell back to "maegashira" 4 in july but turned in a strong 11-4 record, defeating "yokozuna" akebono and returning to "komusubi" in september 1995. he also defeated "yokozuna" takanohana in may 1996, the only wrestler to do so in that tournament.