Chiyotaikai Ryūji from the tournament after this defeat, but announced that he would return at "sekiwake" rank in January to try to win necessary 10 bouts designated by the JSA that would allow him to regain his "ōzeki" status. He stated he would retire if he failed to achieve this. After three straight losses in the January 2010 tournament, Chiyotaikai announced his retirement from sumo. His final match was against his longtime "ōzeki" rival Kaiō (who also broke the record for most "makuuchi" wins in this bout.) "I gave myself an ultimatum, so I don't have any regrets. I just don't have
Chiyotaikai Ryūji and sat out the regional tour in April due to a fractured rib. In September 2009 Chiyotaikai withdrew from the tournament after suffering eight defeats in the first ten days. He had an injury to his left knee in addition to his elbow problem, and commented, "I have no power to fight once I get in the ring." "Kadoban" for the fourteenth time in the Kyushu tournament in November, he won his first two bouts but then lost eight in a row, his demotion from "ōzeki" being confirmed on Day 10 when he was lifted out by Asashōryū. He withdrew