In his early career he earned seven kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna, three of them coming in one tournament in January 1955 when he beat Yoshibayama on Day 5 and then Chiyonoyama and Tochinishiki on Days 8 and 9.
In his early wrestling career, he secured seven gold stars for defeating yokozuna titlists, including three remarkable wins in one tournament in January 1955 when he bested Yoshibayama on Day 5 and then Chiyonoyama and Tochinishiki on Days 8 and 9.