Musashimaru 100kg heavier than rival

American-born man-mountain Musashimaru finds himself on the wrong side of the ring for the May Grand Sumo Tournament, which opens in Tokyo this afternoon. The 32-year-old will be trying for his 13th career championship, but has been ranked as the 'West' yokozuna for the first time in 11 tournaments.

The honour of being 'East' yokozuna has gone to Mongolian Asashoryu - 10 years younger and 100 kilograms lighter than Musashimaru.

Asashoryu was promoted to the prized top spot on the Banzuke (official rankings) for the tournament after successive 14-1 performances in the November and January events. His elevation was also enabled by the non-appearance for the Spring tournament in March of Musashimaru and the sudden retirement of the great Japanese yokozuna Takanahana, who bowed out with an amazing 22 championships.

Asashoryu came crashing to earth, however, finishing that event with a less-then-convincing 10-5 as up-and-coming Chiyotaikai manoeuvered his way to his second grand championship, with 13 wins and two losses. He won his first silverware from the July tournament last year with 14-1.

Chiyotaikai, 27, now goes into this event, which runs from today until May 25 at the famous Kokugikan in the Ryogoku section of Tokyo, with the chance to also win promotion to yokozuna, the highest ranking in the top Manuuchi Division of sumo. 'I'm going to do my absolute very best out there so I hope you'll be rooting for me,' said the 156kg Chiyotaikai, who hails from the Kokonoe stable.

But he will face heavy artillery from Musashimaru, who has plenty of weight at 239kg and plenty to prove after being overshadowed since his last win in September, and from the inscrutable Asashoryu, who has shown himself to be an extremely aggressive rikishi.