Legend has it that 3,000 years ago, two gods took their fight for control of the Japanese islands to the sumo ring. With such a heritage, it is no wonder that sumo wrestling has remained the quintessential Japanese sport. Today, a towering 23-year-old American shattered an almost sacred barrier in a sport that is as much ritual as wrestling. Chad Rowan, known professionally as Akebono, was recommended for elevation to the sumo's exalted rank of yokozuna, or grand champion. Konishiki's complaints that racism had been a factor provoked an embarrassing controversy that reinforced Japan's image abroad as a closed society.

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Persons: Chad Rowan