Shaking as all of Japan watched the second American in six years to be promoted to the sports highest rank, Musashimaru, after much hesitation and barely above a whisper, managed to utter in formal Japanese, "I humbly accept and will do my best to never disgrace the title of yokozuna."

After five years and 27 tournaments holding the top rank, Musashimaru has mastered the ways of a yokozuna.

Tonight (Saturday in Japan), a capacity crowd of 13,000 are expected to attend his retirement ceremony in Ryogoku, marking the end of a great champion.

Celebrities, dignitaries, and legendary sumo stars will be in attendance. Millions more will watch on television.

Musashimaru sits with ease and with an almost zen-like serenity as he answers questions, pausing only to laugh at his own answers.

He smiles, squints his trademark bushy eyebrows, and makes faces as he blurts out one-liners.

He now occasionally prefers to conduct interviews in Japanese.

"My English is rusty," he jokingly declares.

If you close your eyes and listen, Musashimaru actually almost sounds native. Open them, and before you is a big local boy — one that has come a long, long way.

Besides finding comfort in the language, the accomplishments of Musashimaru are impressive.

COMPLETE, CONSISTENT

After being recruited by a sumo scout in 1989, he survived brutal rookie hazing and the strict military-like rules based on hierarchy. He adapted a new diet, adjusted to new customs, and quickly learned how to use his massive girth and arm strength to push anyone in his way out of the ring.

He jumped up the ranks and in just over two years made the top makuuchi division.

In his prime, he was considered by many to be the most complete and consistent wrestler.

Twelve championships later, he retires sixth on the all-time list.

Had it not been for a recurring wrist injury that forced him out of the majority of tournaments last year, he most likely would have passed 12 titles with relative ease.

For someone known for his ironman competitiveness, it was tough for him to stay on the sidelines and watch.

He attempted a comeback in November of 2003, but didn't have the strength to continue. As a yokozuna, there is pressure to win or step down. With no other alternative and his desire to honor the rank, Musashimaru finally bowed out.

But there has been little time to rest for Musashimaru as he prepares for his retirement.

There are still people to meet and details that need his attention before the ceremony.

Unlike sumo tournaments and exhibitions that are organized by the Japan Sumo Association, a wrestler's retirement ceremony must be planned out by the wrestler and his staff.

Time to party

It's the last big event that a retiring wrestler partakes in, and his last chance to earn a big paycheck. As all of the proceeds from the event are given directly to the wrestler, for many, the money is used to help finance a new career, buy an elder stock in the sumo association, or purchase a new place to live.

For Musashimaru, his future plans are still up in the air.

One thing he is certain of is that he wants to have a fun time tomorrow.

"I will miss my active days, but I want to make it (the retiring ceremony) like having a good party," he explained.

Although there are formalities like the time honored ring entering ceremony and the reflective hair-cutting ceremony, true to Hawaiian style, he'll have live local music greeting guests as they enter the Kokugikan arena.

The singer will be none other than his good friend and former sumo wrestler Saleva'a Atisanoe, better known as Konishiki. Others also will perform (see story.)

With the light-hearted aloha spirit in the air, you might forget that this is supposed to be a somewhat serious and somber event. Instead, it should be quite a party— fitting for quite a grand champion.

Mina Hall is the author of the book, "The Big Book of Sumo." She played tennis for the University of Hawai'i from 1987-1992.

Retirement ceremony will be Hawaiian-style

Kumu hula Sonny Ching and members of his award-winning Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu will be in the ceremonial retirement for Musashimaru in Tokyo.

For the first time in sumo history, hula will be performed in the revered ring as part of Musashimaru's retirement proceedings. Four halau members — Alika Young, Lopaka De Vera, Randon Izumi and Noah Ryan — will be permitted to render hula kahiko.

Two women who are part of the Hawaiian delegation — Hoapili Jingao and Kuhia Arakaki — will greet guests and perform at a post-ceremony reception, since sumo rituals forbid women to enter the ring.

Hawaiian music will be provided by Sam Kaina, Helene Woodward and Wailani Avilla.