In the six decades since Hawaiian Takamiyama embarked on a trailblazing journey in Japan*s national sport, only two foreign countries have produced yokozuna.

The United States led the way, with Takamiyama*s protege Akebono being first to break sumo*s glass ceiling in 1993, and his compatriot Musashimaru followed suit six years later.

Since the turn of the millennium, though, it*s been a case of Mongolian domination, with Hoshoryu*s recent promotion bringing to six the total number of grand champions hailing from the Land of the Blue Sky.