Standing on the horizon of yet another historic moment in his illustrious career is nothing new for the lord of the raised ring.

But for yokozuna Hakuho, claiming his career 33rd Emperor's Cup promises to be a monumental event on the scale of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, Michael Phelps' 18 Olympic gold medals or Lance Armstrong's seven-consecutive Tour de France championships.

Sole possession of the all-time record, which he will be vying for at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament that kicks off at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday, would put him in a league by himself with the most unbreakable mark the sport has seen.