In his first appearance as "komusubi" in the September tournament, Baruto managed an 8–7 score, while having a less than perfect start to the tournament. He was just 2–7 after 9 bouts where he competed with only the titled ranks of "san'yaku" wrestlers. His last six matches were against wrestlers from the "maegashira" ranks and there Baruto managed to hold his ground. He was promoted to "sekiwake" rank for the Kyushu Basho in November, as the west "sekiwake" Toyonoshima could not hold his position after a 6–9 finish in the Aki Basho, thus leaving an opening for the position. He came through with a winning record in his "sekiwake" debut.