The image of the silent but deadly giant whose hobby growing up in Bulgaria was baking cakes soaked in caramel fudge must be reconciled.

News photoOzeki Kotooshu is looking to end yokozuna Asashoryu's record winning streak of seven tournament titles when action gets under way at the New Year Basho in Tokyo.

The man has soared sumo's ladder faster than any wrestler in history. He is endowed with physical attributes unrivaled in the elite makuuchi division.