After a phenomenal 2010, sumo's lone grand champion is aiming to achieve even loftier heights in the Year of the Rabbit.
Hakuho came just six victories shy of matching yokozuna legend Futabayama's all-time wins streak of 69 and the word on the street is he's ready to do it all over — this time playing for keeps.
"I greeted the New Year with a fresh feeling. I feel that the battle has gotten started again," said Hakuho after holding his first sparring session earlier this week in preparation for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament getting under way at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday.