Two foreign-born sumo giants have been in the news recently. Former Yokozuna Akebono (34) announced that he was turning his back on the Sumo Association and accepting a lucrative offer to fight in the increasingly poplar K-1 sport. He will face former NFL lineman Bob Sapp in what will probably be one of the most hyped TV events of the New Year schedule. The main reason seems to be money, as he said to not have had enough to buy his way into the lifelong security of an oyakata (stablemaster) position. The Hawaiian-born Akebono was the first foreigner to reach sumo’s highest rank. The second, Musashimaru (photo, 32), finally announced his retirement mid-way through the ongoing basho. After missing six straight tournaments, his career was on the line. But a recurring wrist injury, not mention being about 8okg over his prime fighting weight, meant that he couldn’t perform at the high level expected of a Yokozuna. After he rakes in some money from his retirement ceremony and bonuses, he is expected to leave Japan and sumo behind.