By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Fiamalu Penitani turned 31 this month, a point when most sumotori of his rank are becoming familiar with the details of their retirement accounts.

Far from fading out, the man who answers to the ring name of yokozuna Musashimaru is apparently just catching his second wind.

With a 13-2 record that added up to the championship of the just-completed Summer Tournament, Musashimaru has won three of the last four tournaments and is challenging himself to carve out a piece of history instead of being content to rest on his already-accomplished past.

When Musashimaru wrapped his meaty hands around an 11th Emperor's Cup, he matched the retired Akebono for the most tournament titles by a foreign-born sumotori. Reminded of where he stood, Musashimaru immediately raised the bar, telling reporters in Tokyo the other day, "It is no good unless I pass it."

Then, he proceeded to set his sights on 15, which — if he can pull it off — would put Musashimaru fifth on the all-time win list.

The combination of Musashimaru's durability, drive and the power vacuum at the top of the sport have presented him with an opportunity that is 24-karat golden.

"It is his time to really break loose," said Jesse Kuhaulua who, as Takamiyama, became the first foreigner to win a tournament in Japan's national sport.

Indeed, where Musashimaru was once the junior member of a group of four yokozuna, now Takanohana is the only other one still active and that is debatable because he has been sidelined by injury for a year. Nor has any ozeki demonstrated the consistency to stay with Musashimaru.

If Musashimaru, one of the sport's ironman performers, can keep his weight under control he might be able to continue to avoid the kind of injuries that have ended a lot of other careers.

For Musashimaru, things are just beginning to get interesting.