In March 1996, he was promoted to the second highest "jūryō" division, achieving "sekitori" status for the first time. After temporarily dropping down to "makushita," he slowly climbed the "jūryō" division and first won promotion to the top "makuuchi" division in January 1998. However, he did not establish himself in the division until May 1999. He won his first "sanshō" or special prize in January 2000. He first achieved a "san'yaku" rank in January 2002 when he was promoted to "komusubi". He has earned two "kinboshi" or gold stars for "yokozuna" upsets at "maegashira" rank, defeating Takanohana in the latter's comeback tournament in September 2002 and fellow Mongolian Asashōryū in his first tournament as a "yokozuna" in March 2003. He also defeated Asashōryū and Musashimaru whilst ranked in "san'yaku". He made his "sekiwake" debut in July 2003 but did not achieve a "kachi-koshi" or winning score in his three attempts at the rank.