A new star in the sumo world, Ichinojo, (A.Ichinnorov) was officially granted the career title Sekiwake, the third highest rank in professional sumo, on Monday.

Ichinojo will fight under the Sekiwake rank in November’s Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. 

Ichinojo finished the autumn tournament last month, in Tokyo, with 13 wins and 2 losses. Ichinojo overpowered Ozeki Kisenosato and Goeido and Yokozuna Kakuryu, but was defeated by Ikioi on Day 8 and Yokozuna Hakuho on Day 15. The 192 cm, 199 kg Mongolian was in the line of leaders in the elite Mahuuchi division until the final day of tournament and awarded the two main prizes.

This is the first time in sumo that a new comer has skipped the fourth top rank, Komusubi, to reach Sekiwake from Maegashira.