Miyabiyama Tetsushi Miyabiyama's promotion was controversial. The Sumo Association's decision was not unanimous, with three of the ten directors present at the meeting voting against the promotion. Sakaigawa-"oyakata" (former "yokozuna" Sadanoyama), in particular, was reported to have felt it was too soon as Miyabiyama had only been in "makuuchi" for just over a year, and had not yet won a top division title. In the end the doubters were proved correct as Miyabiyama lasted just eight tournaments in the rank, never scoring more than 9 wins, before being demoted in the wake of two consecutive losing records. He was one of the
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