Takakeishō, two years his senior, also played a big role in his ambition to one day turn professional by helping him, when they were both children, to train.
Due to his amateur achievements, Gōnoyama was allowed to enter professional sumo at the rank of sandanme tsukedashi, alongside fellow collegiate standout and Chu-Dai teammate Tochimusashi [ja].
In his first tournament, Gōnoyama remained undefeated until his final match, including with a win over Tochimusashi[5] however, he failed to claim the championship after losing to Fukushima by disqualification as he had pulled his topknot.
In his return, Gōnoyama defeated former komusubi Ryūden on the final day to win the makushita championship with a perfect 7-0 record.
Gōnoyama inflicted for the second time in the tournament a defeat on Ochiai, whom he had already beaten on Day 11, and subsequently claimed the second division title.
[15] Gōnoyama made a good start to the tournament and recorded five straight wins before being defeated by Ochiai (now renamed Hakuōhō) on Day 6.
[18][19] On the subject of his recent victories, former yokozuna Wakanohana III commented in his daily column that Gōnoyama had put on the perfect match and that he expected the young wrestler to reach the san'yaku ranks in 2024.
[24] Gōnoyama is a tsuki and oshi specialist, which means he relies on thrusting and pushing techniques to defeat his opponents rather than belt-wrestling.
[2] In April 2024 Gōnoyama married a woman who was his classmate and a member of the judo club at Saitama Sakae High School after a one-year relationship.
[26] Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique Also shown: ★=Kinboshi; P=Playoff(s) Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi Terunofuji (retired) Kotozakura Hōshōryū Ōnosato Wakamotoharu Daieishō Abi Wakatakakage Takanoshō Kirishima Tobizaru Atamifuji Gōnoyama Ōhō Shōdai Ura Hiradoumi Chiyoshōma Takayasu Ichiyamamoto Endō Mitakeumi Rōga Takarafuji Churanoumi Ōshōma Tamawashi Meisei Midorifuji Takerufuji Nishikigi Ōnokatsu Shōnannoumi Kotoshōhō Hokutofuji Kinbōzan Hakuōhō Kitanowaka Tamashōhō Kagayaki Nishikifuji Tokihayate