He was recruited by the former ōzeki Asashio of the Wakamatsu stable (now Takasago stable), who gave him the shikona of Asashōryū, literally "morning blue dragon,"[REF] Asa being a regular prefix in the Wakamatsu stable.
In 2002, Asashōryū put together back-to-back records of 11-4, 11-4 and 12-3 and was promoted to sumo's second highest rank of ōzeki in July [REF].