Even with injury-riddled grand champion Takanohana back on the comeback trail, the smart money says cocky Mongolian ozeki Asashoryu will be the man who rules the roost when the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament kicks off in Tokyo on Sunday.
Ozeki Asashoryu (right) is poised for promotion to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna if he wins the New Year Grand Tournament starting Sunday at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Leaving a trail of destruction in his wake in 2002, the 22-year-old sensation from the land of Ghengis Kahn has propelled himself to within touching distance of promotion to yokozuna at a frightening pace.
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