tournament victories to an end, but Tochiazuma could manage only third place in the following tournament. It also proved to be the last top division championship won by a Japanese born wrestler for ten years. Tochiazuma holds the record for the number of times a wrestler has achieved promotion to the ōzeki rank after being demoted. He lost his ōzeki rank twice following injuries, but both times he came back by scoring at least ten wins in the next tournament. He is the only wrestler who has succeeded in doing so since the introduction of the current rules on ōzeki promotion and demotion in 1969. His final promotion to ōzeki in 2005 was especially spectacular, as even his own stable had suggested that the scapula injury he suffered in November 2004 could have meant the end of his career. He had great strength as well as technical skill, and was one of the few wrestlers to regularly trouble Asashōryū when he was at his peak as a yokozuna, defeating him six times between 2003 and 2006. Fighting style Tochiazuma had an all-round style, equally adept at yotsu (grappling) techniques, and tsuki/oshi (thrusting and pushing) techniques. Early in his career he was regarded as an oshi-sumo specialist, and oshi-dashi (push out) was the kimarite he used most often overall, but he also won many bouts by yori-kiri or force out. His favourite grip on the mawashi was hidari-yotsu (right hand outside, left hand inside), and he was fond of using uwatenage (overarm throw) and uwatedashinage (pulling outer arm throw). Retirement from sumo At the end of 2006, Tochiazuma underwent knee surgery, leaving him with little time to prepare for the 2007 New Year tournament. He managed only five wins there, but preserved his ōzeki status with eight wins in March. However, he pulled out of that tournament on the 12th day and was admitted to hospital, complaining of headaches and dizziness. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and a brain scan revealed he had also suffered a mild stroke. On May 7, 2007, Tochiazuma announced his retirement from sumo. He kept his ring name as he made the transition into his role as oyakata, as ōzeki are permitted to do so for three years. Tochiazuma's danpatsu-shiki, or official retirement ceremony, took place on 2 February 2008 at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, with around 10,000 people in attendance. Coming from Tokyo, he