Due to persistent injuries, including a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, he announced his retirement in May 2014.

His danpatsu-shiki or official retirement ceremony took place on June 22, 2014 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel with around 230 guests taking part in the hair-cutting.

Kimikaze was an oshi-sumo specialist, preferring pushing techniques to fighting on the mawashi or belt.

His most common winning kimarite was oshi-dashi (push out) but he was also very reliant on slap downs (hataki-komi).

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