FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Newly-promoted ozeki Onosato was both humble and ambitious after the rankings for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament listed the rising star at the sport's second highest echelon on Monday.

The fastest wrestler to reach ozeki since the start of the Showa era in 1926, having fought in only nine professional meets so far, the 24-year-old will make his debut at the rank during the Nov. 10-24 meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

"Seeing my name on the rankings helped me realize the fact I have become an ozeki," Onosato told a press conference at his Nishonoseki stable's lodgment in Fukuoka. "It made me feel I have to roll my sleeves up even more. I'm sure there will be lots to gain and learn come the first day."

Having debuted at the Summer meet in May last year at third-tier makushita, Onosato's meteoric rise saw him capture his first top-tier makuuchi-division title this May before he seized his second Emperor's Cup at September's Autumn meet, sealing his ozeki promotion.

"Comparing myself to a year ago, I'm in an unimaginable position. I haven't caught up with it myself," Onosato said. "I expect lots of new things to face (as ozeki). I'll try not to overthink and work hard with the same mindset as I've had till now."

Remarkable performances from the 192-centimeter, 182-kilogram wrestler have inevitably led to talks of his future promotion to the exalted rank of yokozuna, and it is a challenge he is more than relishing to take up.

"It's not a rank everyone can reach, nor something I can claim easily. I haven't got around to thinking about it yet," he said. "(But) I think there will be things I get to see after gaining experience as ozeki."

Onosato was able to wrestle in front of his fans in his home prefecture of Ishikawa -- which was hit by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake on New Year's Day and heavy rain in September -- during the Japan Sumo Association's regional tour on Oct. 6.

He missed the later part of the tour through Sunday due to an adenoviral infection, but claimed it would be business as usual with his preparation.

"I had lots of support from around the country. I hope to turn it into power," he said. "I've lacked training in some areas but I'm gradually moving my body. I'll just keep going without getting flustered ahead of the meet's first day."

"It's the last tournament of the year so I want to round it off on a positive note."