He first reached the top division of professional sumo in 1995, winning 13 special prizes and earning 11 kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna over his long career.

For his first makuuchi bouts he was drawn against some tough opponents; first ōzeki Wakanohana, followed by yokozuna Takanohana the second day.

Recovering from this, his first ever make-koshi, Tosanoumi continued to rise through the ranks, reaching komusubi in January 1996 and sekiwake in May 1997.

He fell to jūryō on three further occasions, in May 2007, March 2008 and September 2008, but each time made an immediate return to the top division.

He recorded his 700th career win in the January 2010 tournament, the first makushita tsukedashi entrant to achieve this feat.

Instead Tosanoumi chose to retire, announcing his decision on December 15 shortly before the release of the new rankings.

He has stayed in sumo as a coach at Isenoumi stable under the toshiyori name Tatekawa, and his danpatsu-shiki or official retirement ceremony took place at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan on May 28, 2011.

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