Sekiwake Takayasu was officially promoted to sumo's second-highest rank of ozeki on Wednesday by the Japan Sumo Association board of directors.
The 27-year-old, whose father is Japanese and mother is from the Philippines, is the first new ozeki since Mongolian Terunofuji was promoted after the summer tournament in 2015.
Upon receiving the news at a Tokyo hotel, Takayasu, whose full name is Akira Takayasu, said he was experiencing an outpouring of emotions after delivering his "kojo" stage speech, as is customary for a wrestler newly promoted to ozeki status.