Four-time makuuchi division champion Terunofuji was officially named sumo's 73rd yokozuna on Wednesday, as the Mongolian became the first wrestler in four and a half years to be promoted to the sport's highest rank following an epic career comeback.

Terunofuji, who narrowly missed out on a fifth title on Sunday at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, where he finished with a 14-1 record, is the first new grand champion since Japanese-born Kisenosato in 2017.

"I will hold on to my unshakeable spirit and aim to foster greater dignity and power as a yokozuna," he said in his kojo stage speech, a custom for newly promoted wrestlers upon being officially informed of their new rank by Japan Sumo Association messengers.