His forgettable yokozuna debut a fading memory, a rejuvenated Harumafuji will be looking to pick up where he left off when the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament kicks off in Osaka on Sunday.
After a lackluster 9-6 debut at yokozuna at the Kyushu meet in November, Harumafuji faced the uncomfortable prospect of an enforced early retirement if he had posted an equally dismal record at the New Year basho two months ago.
The Yokozuna Deliberation Council had warned him that he might be forced to step down from the raised ring for good if he could not bounce back with at least 10 wins in Tokyo.