Kakuryu will head into next month's Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in pole position as east yokozuna while summer basho winner Asanoyama moved into the No. 1 maegashira slot, according to rankings published by the Japan Sumo Association on Monday.
The fast-rising Asanoyama, who clinched his maiden championship in front of U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month, climbed seven spots up the ranks, reaching a new career high for the July 7-21 tournament at Nagoya's Dolphins Arena.
"I've put the championship behind me and will train as a challenger," said the 25-year-old, taking the humble path despite being the first winner without any previous experience in the sanyaku (three levels below yokozuna) ranks since Sadanoyama in 1961.