Mongolian-born sumo grand champions stamp their feet in a New Year's
ceremony at a Tokyo shrine in front of thousands of sumo fans and
worshippers.

TOKYO, JAPAN (JANUARY 6, 2009) REUTERS -
Japan's sumo grand champions performed traditional New Year's rites
at a Tokyo shrine on Tuesday (January 6), stamping their feet powerfully
before thousands of sumo fans and visitors.

The two top wrestlers in Japan's ancient sport, who hold the highest
rank of "yokozuna", are both Mongolians.

The ceremony at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine dates back to 1920 and is held to
pray for the sumo wrestlers' good health throughout year.

Wearing only a white loin cloth in the depth of winter, Asashoryu
performed the "shiko", or traditional foot stamping, to scare away
evil spirits in the area.

The same ritual was performed by fellow Mongolian, Hakuho, who was
promoted to the rank of "yokozuna" last year.
Thousands of spectators cheered each time the champions went through
the elaborate motions.

"I didn't like sumo so much, but now I'm starting to like
it," said Yoshie Nakamura, a 70-year-old shrine visitor.
"They were so huge -- just incomparable to regular men,"
added 24-year-old Yu Hatakeyama.

Nine-year-old Kai Tokunaga said: "When they were stamping, I could
almost hear a roaring sound."

The 2,000-year-old form of wrestling is full of rituals and ceremonies,
all of which must be performed precisely. Sumo has religious roots that remain
strong even if its grand champions are no longer Japanese.