In July, he took part in an historic play-off with Chiyonofuji – the first time ever that two yokozuna from the same stable had met in the ring (the rules of sumo state that wrestlers from the same stable can only fight each other in a play-off).
In July, he participated in a historic play-off with Chiyonofuji – the first time ever that two top-ranked sumo wrestlers from the same stable had faced each other in the ring (sumo rules stipulate that wrestlers from the same stable can only compete against each other in a play-off).