After a two-month hiatus in his native Mongolia, Asashoryu held a press conference in Tokyo on Friday to apologize for a series of transgressions that sullied the image of Japan's ancient sport.

"I sincerely apologize for having created a great disturbance to everyone for such a long time," Asashoryu said. "I will deliver a total effort from now on, and I hope to have your support."

Asashoryu, who is 27 and has won 21 tournament titles, holds the highest rank in the ancient sport.

In July, he was slapped with a two-tournament ban and a pay cut for playing a charity soccer match in Ulan Bator after skipping an exhibition sumo tournament in Japan. He claimed he was injured.

It was one of the harsher punishments ever meted out to a grand champion.

The next major tournament is in January and Asashoryu is expected to take part in a regional tour beginning on Sunday.

When he was initially suspended, Asashoryu withdrew from society and was diagnosed with a stress disorder. He returned to Mongolia to seek treatment and recover from injuries.

"Being back in my hometown was good medicine for my soul," Asashoryu said.

"Everybody was looking forward to seeing me in the exhibition, but I didn't live up to my responsibilities as grand champion," he added. "I want to start afresh to make up for what I lack in character and cultivate myself further."

Most Japanese felt the punishment fitted the crime but some speculated that Asashoryu got harsher treatment because he's not Japanese.

In December of 2000, maegashira Toki, who is Japanese, hit and killed a pedestrian while driving in Osaka. He was suspended for just one tournament for his negligence.

Expectations, both in and out of the ring, are much higher for grand champions.

Like all wrestlers, grand champions are expected to adhere to sumo traditions and avoid controversy. But grand champions, called yokozuna, are expected to set an even more demanding example of humility and devotion to the sport.

Asashoryu, despite being the most successful wrestler currently in the ring, has had trouble keeping up his image.

Allegations also arose that he underreported his taxes.

In January, he was accused of being involved in a bout-rigging scandal by a tabloid-style weekly magazine. While the JSA investigated and determined there was no wrongdoing on his part, the damage to his reputation was significant.

He also was involved in a hair-pulling episode earlier in his career when he yanked the topknot of fellow Mongolian Kyokushuzan during a bout. Hair-pulling in sumo is akin to ear-biting in boxing, and never before had a grand champion lost a bout for resorting to it.