Tomozuna stable
The July 2011 tournament was Kaiō's 65th as an "ōzeki", tying Chiyotaikai's record. On the fourth day he slapped down Toyonoshima to earn his first victory of the "basho" and his 1045th in his career. Congratulated by Chiyonofuji backstage after the bout, Kaiō replied, "I feel sorry to be compared to someone as great as you." The following day he forced out Kyokutenhō to surpass Chiyonofuji and in first place. On Day 10, having lost to Kotoōshū to fall to 3–7, Kaiō announced his retirement from sumo, just a few days short of his 39th birthday, after a discussion with his stablemaster. He remained in sumo as a coach at Tomozuna stable, using the "toshiyori" or elder name of Asakayama. His retirement left no Japanese at "ōzeki" or "yokozuna" for the first time since January 1993. Speaking at a press conference after his announcement, Kaiō said, "I might not have reached yokozuna or won the championship in front of my home fans in Kyushu but I've had a fulfilling career and have no regrets." His "danpatsu-shiki", or official retirement ceremony, took place at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan on 27 May 2012, with around 10000 spectators and hundreds of dignitaries, including his fellow March 1988 entrant Takanohana, taking turns to snip his topknot before it was finally removed by his stablemaster Tomozuna.