Tokitsukaze stable
Toyonoshima returned to the "san'yaku" ranks at "komusubi" for the July 2008 tournament, where he defeated Asashōryū for the first time on the opening day. He finished with ten wins and another Outstanding Performance prize, and Kotoshogiku's losing record meant Toyonoshima was promoted to "sekiwake" for the September tournament, becoming the first wrestler from Tokitsukaze stable to reach the rank since Kurama in 1978. He fell short with a 6–9 score and was demoted to "maegashira" 1, but returned to "komusubi" for the January 2009 tournament.