Yamazaki had stayed at the heya while taking part in junior high school competitions (as did Daishōhō), and he had also met the former Tatsunami stable wrestler Wakanami as an infant, being held in his arms for a photograph (as top rikishi are often requested to do for luck).

In January 1993 he had slipped to maegashira 14 in the banzuke rankings but responded with his best ever top division score, winning twelve bouts, defeating Konishiki and Takahanada amongst others and finishing runner-up to Akebono, who was promoted to yokozuna after the tournament.

Daishōyama had had longstanding hip problems since his professional debut,[1] and after missing two tournaments in 1994 through injury he fell back to the jūryō division.

More recent Nihon University recruits include the popular Endō in 2013, Daishōmaru and Tsurugisho in 2014, Tobizaru in 2015 and Daiamami in 2016, all of whom have reached the top division.

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