Unfazed by recent match-fixing accusations, lone grand champion Asashoryu is focused, fighting fit and ready to leave another trail of destruction in his wake when the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament kicks off in Osaka this weekend.
Asashoryu joined an elite group of yokozuna legends by capturing his 20th Emperor's Cup in January but bout-rigging claims in the tabloid-style weekly Shukan Gendai threatened to overshadow the Mongolian magician's achievement at the New Year meet.
The Japan Sumo Association, Asashoryu and 16 other wrestlers responded by filing a lawsuit against the magazine's publisher for defaming them in the articles and now the yokozuna is just concentrating on getting back to business on the raised ring.
"If people want to make a big fuss (about the match-fixing reports) then they can. I'm not letting it get me down," said Asashoryu. "I am focused in training and just have to do what I have to do."