Terunofuji will compete in the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament as an ozeki, returning to the sport's second-highest rank for the first time in 21 meets, the Japan Sumo Association confirmed Monday in its latest rankings.
The 29-year-old Mongolian secured his promotion by winning the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March with a 12-3 record, becoming the first wrestler in history to regain ozeki status after dropping as low as the fifth-tier jonidan division.
Terunofuji, who is ranked behind Takakeisho as the second west ozeki, plummeted to jonidan in March 2019 following a host of health problems, including injuries that required surgery on both knees.