Akebono is one of the biggest sports stars in Japan, both literally and figuratively. The 30-year-old followed in the footsteps of his oyakata (stablemaster) Azumazeki (ex-sekiwake Takamiyama) and former ozeki Konishiki in making the transition from the backwaters of Hawaii to the rarified heights of one of the world's most recognizable, yet inscrutable, sports.

In 1993, the man who might have been a hotel manager reached the pinnacle of his sport when he was promoted to yokozuna, the first foreigner to achieve this almost hallowed status and the fastest rise to that rank in sumo history. To date, he has won nine Emperor's Cups and is currently seeking his 10th.

In an exclusive interview with The Japan Times, to be published in two parts, Akebono talked frankly about his rise to fame, his relationships in and out of sumo and about his plans for the future. He was initially reluctant to do the interview and cautiously eased his way in to talking about his past. But as the interview progressed, the tension lifted and the jovial Hawaiian opened up with some dry humor and tongue-in-cheek responses. The pre-fight scowl betrays a character that loves to laugh and joke, an athlete who loves his sport and adopted country, a husband and father who loves his family, and a son who loves his mom.