He won a total of twelve "kinboshi" (gold stars awarded for "maegashira" wins against a "yokozuna"), a record which stood until Akinoshima surpassed it in the 1990s. His first "kinboshi" came in only his second top division tournament against Sadanoyama, who had won the previous two tournaments but suddenly retired just two days after losing to him. His final gold star came ten years later at the age of 35, against Kitanoumi in September 1978 – only the third time the "yokozuna" had been beaten that year. Takamiyama also won eleven special prizes, or "sanshō" for his performances in tournaments.