Mongolia's Asashoryu was promoted Wednesday to the highest rank in Japan's ancient sport of sumo, becoming the first from his country and only the third foreign-born wrestler ever to achieve that lofty status.
Asashoryu (left) bows with stablemaster Takasago as sumo officials notify the Mongolian wrestler of his promotion to yokozuna.
Dressed in traditional Japanese kimono and wearing his hair in a samurai-style top-knot, Asashoryu bowed deeply before sumo officials to accept the honor in an early morning ceremony at Tokyo's Kokugikan sumo arena.