After a two-tournament suspension was lifted last November, Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu will make his long-awaited comeback as the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament kicks off Sunday.
The 27-year-old Asashoryu, who returns to the raised ring for the first time in three meets, appears more determined than ever to show that his layoff was merely a driving force to refocus his efforts into the sport he loves.
Will he be ready?