In May 1968, after three runner-up performances in a row, he finally captured his first yūshō, or tournament title, with a 13–2 record. The Yokozuna Deliberation Committee decided against promotion to yokozuna after this result due to the absence of both Taihō and Kashiwado from the tournament and his two losses to low-rankers in the first week.
In May 1968, after three consecutive second-place finishes, he ultimately secured his first yūshō title with a 13–2 record. The Yokozuna Deliberation Committee chose not to promote him to yokozuna following this outcome due to the absence of both Taihō and Kashiwado from the tournament and his two losses to lower-ranked wrestlers in the opening week.