Ozeki Kotoshogiku, who completed an impressive win in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, could earn promotion to yokozuna in March's Spring tournament.
Sumo elder Isegahama, who heads the Japan Sumo Association's judging department, indicated the ozeki, who became the first Japanese-champion in 10 years, will be recommended as a candidate for promotion to sumo's highest rank at the next basho in Osaka.
Although Kotoshogiku's championship included wins over all three yokozuna, he has won 10 or more bouts in a 15-day basho just eight times in 26 tries. He has also put his ozeki rank in jeopardy five times with losing records — only to avoid relegation each time by winning eight or more matches in the following basho.