Katayama was promoted to the top "makuuchi" division in May 2005. He earned eight wins against seven losses in that tournament, but did not manage to achieve "kachi-koshi" in the top division again. He could manage only a 7-8 score at the rank of jūryō 13 in March 2008, leaving him dangerously close to demotion to the unsalaried ranks. He maintained his "sekitori" status with a 9-6 mark in May 2008, but a disastrous 2-13 in July meant he was demoted to "makushita" for the September tournament. He retired in January 2009.