After winning twelve special prizes and four gold stars, he reached his highest rank of ōzeki in 2002 and won three top division tournament championships before retiring because of health reasons in 2007 at the age of 30.

He had a remarkably rapid rise, winning his first 26 matches (equalling Itai's record) and reaching the jūryō division in May 1996, only nine tournaments after his debut.

After three double figure scores and two consecutive runner-up performances Tochiazuma was promoted to ōzeki for the first time in January 2002, and instantly won the tournament – exactly 30 years after his father's own championship.

His final promotion to ōzeki in 2005 was especially spectacular, as even his own stable had suggested that the scapula injury he suffered in November 2004 could have meant the end of his career.

He had great strength as well as technical skill, and was one of the few wrestlers to regularly trouble Asashōryū when he was at his peak as a yokozuna, defeating him six times between 2003 and 2006.

Early in his career he was regarded as an oshi-sumo specialist, and oshi-dashi (push out) was the kimarite he used most often overall, but he also won many bouts by yori-kiri or force out.

Tamanoi-oyakata is also a Deputy Director of the Japan Sumo Association, responsible for the running of the regional tours or jungyō.

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