In May 2008 he won his second "makushita" division championship, once more with a perfect 7-0 record. This performance returned him to the "sekitori" ranks for the first time since November 2006. His return was not successful however, as he could only manage a 5-10 score at "jūryō" 13. He returned to the "jūryō" division once again for the November 2008 tournament; a 6-1 score at the rank of "makushita" 4 elevating him to "jūryō" 8. Although he turned in 5-10 again, it was enough on this occasion to keep him in the division. However a further 5-10 score in January 2009 saw him demoted once again. He scored 6-1 in March 2009, losing a playoff for the "makushita" division championship, which was enough for an immediate return to "jūryō."