Despite his tournament victory Kyokutenhō did not return to the "san'yaku" ranks for the July tournament, instead being ranked at "maegashira" 1. He is the first "maegashira" to win the "yūshō" and not achieve "san'yaku" promotion since Sadanoyama in 1961. Kyokutenhō scored only 2–13 in this tournament, losing his first 13 bouts – the worst performance by a defending "yūshō" champion since Takatōriki also scored 2–13 in May 2000. In September 2014 he became the first 40-year-old to be ranked in "makuuchi" since the six tournament a year system began in 1958, and he also drew level with Terao on 1795 career appearances, behind only Ōshio's 1891. In November he won ten bouts and was awarded his seventh and final special prize, all for Fighting Spirit. In the May 2015 tournament he surpassed Kaiō's record with his 1445th appearance in the top division.