Asashoryu beats Hakuho in playoff to win autumn sumo

Asashoryu beats Hakuho in playoff to win autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu (R) throws fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho onto the ring during a championship playoff on the final day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 27, 2009. Asashoryu claimed his 24th Emperor's Cup at the tourney on his 19th birthday.

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (L) holds up a sea bream at his stable in Fukuoka to celebrate his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu responds to fans while leaving the sumo ring after beating Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to clinch his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to clinch his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu zeros in on 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu zeros in on 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R) zeroes in on his 19th Emperor's Cup after mugging Tochiazuma to record win No. 13 at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Nov. 24.

Takanohana wins 19th Emperor's Cup

Takanohana wins 19th Emperor's Cup

Yokozuna Takanohana (2nd from L) reinforces his aura of invincibility July 18 by easily disposing of ozeki Musashimaru to claim his 19th Emperor's Cup with a day to spare in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu responds to fans while leaving the sumo ring after beating Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to clinch his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. (Kyodo)

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R) beats Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu to clinch his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. (Kyodo)

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

Asashoryu clinches 19th title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (L) holds up a sea bream at his stable in Fukuoka to celebrate his 19th Emperor's Cup with an unblemished 14-0 record on Nov. 25, the penultimate day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament. (Kyodo)

Asashoryu beats Hakuho in playoff to win autumn sumo

Asashoryu beats Hakuho in playoff to win autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian Yokozuna Asashoryu (R) throws fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho onto the ring during a championship playoff on the final day of the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 27, 2009. Asashoryu claimed his 24th Emperor's Cup at the tourney on his 19th birthday. (Kyodo)

Takanohana wins 19th Emperor's C

Takanohana wins 19th Emperor's C

Yokozuna Takanohana (2nd from L) reinforces his aura of invincibility July 18 by easily disposing of ozeki Musashimaru to claim his 19th Emperor's Cup with a day to spare in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. ==Kyodo