The Kokonoe stable veteran, however, said he will put an end to his career if he competes in the New Year tournament as a sekiwake and fails to win 10 bouts, the minimum requirement for promotion back to ozeki.

Chiyotaikai must register a majority of victories in the Fukuoka basho getting underway Sunday to avoid dropping one place down the rankings to sekiwake.

"I have consulted my stablemaster and decided not to retire even if I pull out or lose more than half of the bouts in the Kyushu tournament," Chiyotaikai said during training in Fukuoka.

"I will aim for 10 wins in the New Year tournament. If I don't make it, I will retire," said the 33-year-old.

"Chiyotaikai himself says he wants to continue so I will let him. He will still have a chance of being promoted back to ozeki, even if he is demoted," said stablemaster Kokonoe.

"Obviously, he will have to retire if he fails to be promoted. Some might say it is a shameless act (not to retire) but I hope he is allowed to do what he wants."