However, after reaching what proved to be his highest ever rank of maegashira 1 in July 1983, he fell back to the juryo division in November 1983 after withdrawing from the tournament with a dislocated shoulder.

[1] In 1986 he visited the Yokota Air Base with his colleagues from Isegahama stable to take part in exhibition bouts with American schoolchildren.

After winning his third juryo championship in March 1988 with a 13-2 record he earned promotion to makuuchi for the fourth time, finally establishing himself as a top division regular.

[1] He injured his back during the March 1989 tournament after taking part in a strenuous training session with junior wrestler Akebono, later to become a yokozuna.

Although Wakasegawa was qualified to become an oyakata or coach, he was unable to purchase the necessary elder stock and so left the sumo world upon retirement in July 1992.