His fortunes largely changed after this and he had a series of mostly winning tournaments culminating in a 6–1 record at makushita 41 and coming just short of the championship by losing a playoff to Tochitsubasa.

Chiyonokuni was reported to have very mixed feelings about the scandal and admitted it felt surreal to be promoted to jūryō under such strange circumstances.

He did however exceed expectations and about recorded three strong winning tournaments in a row to earn promotion to the top makuuchi division in January 2012.

In the following tournament in March he injured his shoulder again in a bout with Takanoyama on Day 11, which caused him to miss the May 2012 basho and drop down to the jūryō division.

He attained his highest rank to date of maegashira 1 in the May 2017 tournament, and on Day 2 defeated yokozuna Kakuryū to earn his first gold star or kinboshi.

In September, Chiyonokuni won the makushita division championship with a perfect 7–0 score, clinching the title with a victory over Terunofuji in his final match.

While he struggled with 3-4 finishes from upper makushita ranks, he recovered in spectacular fashion after the May 2020 tournament was cancelled due to COVID.

[5] He was promoted back to makuuchi for the November 2020 tournament, making him only the third wrestler to twice return to the top division after falling to makushita or below, after Wakanoyama and Tamaasuka.

[8] He returned in March with his previous rank preserved, and secured a majority of wins before withdrawing from the tournament because of a thumb injury and fractured rib.

He decided to continue his career with the Japan Sumo Association by becoming an elder in his stable, under the name Sanoyama, succeeding former maegashira Tenkaihō.

[15] His older brother Kensho Sawada was also a professional sumo wrestler under the shikona of Chiyonoshin and was a member of Kokonoe stable from 2002 until 2012, and fought one tournament in the makushita division.

[17] Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi