TOKYO American-born sumo wrestler Musashimaru was on Wednesday formally promoted to Grand Champion, or "yokozuna", becoming only the second non-native Japanese to rise to the traditional sport's highest rank. An official from the Japan Sumo Association, the sport's governing body, arrived at Musashimaru's stable to deliver the decision making him only the 67th Yokozuna in sumo history. "I humbly accept it.

I will work with diligence...so as not to dishonor the name of yokozuna," Musashimaru, a Samoan-American from Hawaii, told the official during a solemn ceremony. The move followed the 28-year-old wrestler's second straight tournament win as an ozeki, the sport's second-highest rank, on Sunday. The 223 kilogram (492-pound) Musashimaru overpowered fellow Hawaiian Akebono, the first foreign yokozuna, in the summer grand sumo tournament's final match to claim his fifth Emperor's Cup with a 13-2 record.

An ozeki who wins two straight tournaments is usually promoted to yokozuna. Musashimaru has been a model of consistency since he started his sumo career, racking up a record 52 consecutive tournaments with a winning record. Born Fiamalu Penitani to a family of eight children, Musashimaru entered the sport in 1989 and was promoted to ozeki in 1994. Akebono's rise to yokozuna in March 1993 caused an enormous stir in the tradition-bound world of sumo, with many questioning whether it was appropriate to have a foreign-born wrestler at the sport's most exalted rank.

But Musashimaru's promotion is regarded by sumo experts as likely to provide a much-needed infusion of interest into the sport, whose three other current grand champions are all struggling with injuries or poor form. (Reuter)