Tōyama was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in August 1997[3] and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan after finishing tied for first with Issei Takazaki in the 37th 3-dan league (April 2005 – September 2005) with a record of 13 wins and 5 losses.[2][5]
^ ab"Shinyondan no Shōkai" 新四段の紹介 [Introducing the new 4-dans] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. September 9, 2005. Archived from the original on November 3, 2005. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
^Tamaru, Noboru[in Japanese] (June 15, 2010). "Tōzai Kishi no Tenisu Taikōsen wa Kansei ga Kachikoshi" 東西棋士のテニス対抗戦は関西が勝ち越し [Professional shogi players from Kansai beat professional shogi players from Kantō in an East vs. West tennis match.] (in Japanese). Noburo Tamaru (retired professional shogi player). Retrieved April 15, 2019. 遠山は...成蹊大学のテニス部出身です。[tr. Tōyama is a graduate of Seikei University. He played tennis at the school.]