Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho will be the man to beat again when the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gets underway in Tokyo on Sunday.
Hakuho, who will be gunning for a 36th championship and second in a row after winning with a 14-1 record in Nagoya in July, has practiced at other stables earlier than usual after his Miyagino stable had to move buildings because of earthquake-resistance problems with the current structure.
Hakuho has been unable to use the dohyo at the old building and has been tuning up elsewhere, but he is fighting fit and said there were positives to be taken from the experience.