Ichinojo, who went 13-2 in his September debut in the elite makuuchi division, was officially bumped up to the rank of sekiwake on Monday, when the Japan Sumo Association announced its rankings for November's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
The 15-day tournament begins at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 9.
The 192-cm, 199-kg Mongolian wreaked havoc in the makuuchi division and was in the hunt for the tournament championship until the 14th day. After dispatching two ozeki opponents and yokozuna Kakuryu in a three-day span, Ichinojo went into his climactic match with yokozuna Hakuho with each man boasting a 12-1 record.
The old hand prevailed and went on to win his third straight championship and move to within one career victory of legendary yokozuna Taiho's 32. Hakuho once more leads the yokozuna ranks, followed by Mongolian countrymen Kakuryu and Harumafuji, who missed 10 days in September due to a fractured right eye socket.