The Japan Sumo Association formally promoted sekiwake Goeido to the ozeki rank, following a unanimous decision from its board of directors on Wednesday.
The decision to promote the Sakaigawa wrestler was officially made after a meeting to determine the sumo rankings for the Sept. 14-28 Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Goeido, whose given name is Gotaro Sawai, is the first wrestler to rise to sumo's second-highest rank since Kakuryu, currently a yokozuna, was promoted after the 2012 Spring basho.