Having won his first tournament in January 2017, combined with his overall 2016 record (including four runner-up finishes), Kisenosato was considered for promotion to the yokozuna rank.
Setelah memenangi turnamen pertamanya pada bulan Januari 2017, digabungkan dengan seluruh rekor pada tahun 2016 (termasuk empat kali runner-up), Kisenosato dianggap memenuhi syarat untuk dipromosikan ke peringkat yokozuna.