Following his breakthrough championship in January, Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi will start the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Edion Arena Osaka on Sunday in an unfamiliar position, under the spotlight.

The Kataonami stable grappler had toiled with relatively little acclaim since embarking on a sumo career at age 19, but that changed with his 13-2 victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

At 34 years and two months, he became the second-oldest winner of a maiden Emperor's Cup since 1958, when sumo adopted the current format of six grand tournaments per year.

Though a late-bloomer as a champion, the Ulan Bator native has long been known as one of the sport's iron men, and takes great pride at having never missed a tournament in 15 years of competition.

(Tamawashi poses at his stable holding a newspaper covering his New Year Grand Sumo Tournament win)

"If I rest, I'm not making anyone happy. I want to please as many people as I can with my sumo," he said."

Before taking up sumo, Tamawashi studied cooking in his homeland, and the father of two small boys still enjoys baking cakes as a hobby.

His bright smile and sense of humor have endeared him to fans, and while he has no reservations about showing this softer side, opponents know they face a wrestler who has finally reached the upper echelons of sumo through perseverance and a fiercely competitive mindset.

While Tamawashi's victory at Ryogoku Kokugikan may have been unexpected, it underlined the competitiveness of the top makuuchi division field, which currently features several wrestlers capable of claiming a title.

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Following the retirement of Japanese yokozuna Kisenosato in January, the 15-day tournament in Osaka will feature only two wrestlers at the sport's highest rank -- Kakuryu and all-time championship record-holder Hakuho.

After being forced out of the past two tourneys by injury, both Mongolian grand champions are aiming to dispel lingering health concerns.

For Hakuho, victory in Osaka would extend his record number of grand tournament titles to 42.

The Mongolian superstar won a single championship last year, taking the Autumn Grand Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record. But he skipped the subsequent Kyushu meet following surgery on his right knee and ankle.

Starting the New Year tourney with 10 straight wins, he withdrew following losses in his next three bouts.

Meanwhile, Kakuryu, who won in Osaka last year, is looking to get back on track after being limited to just five bouts over the past two tournaments.

Sekiwake Takakeisho, who captured his first championship last November in Kyushu, may feel he has a point to prove after being controversially overlooked for promotion to ozeki following the New Year meet.

The 22-year-old from the Chiganoura stable went 11-4 in January and stayed in contention until the final day of the tournament, leading to predictions of his promotion to the sport's second-highest rank.

Another championship would make it impossible for the sumo powers to deny him promotion again.

Ozeki Takayasu may also feel he has something to prove, as he still remains without a title after failing to capitalize on the injury absences of the grand champions.

Having seen younger wrestlers Takakeisho and komusubi Mitakeumi seize championships ahead of him, the former stablemate and protege of Kisenosato is a serious contender to lift the Emperor's Cup for the first time.

Hokutofuji -- a one-time rival of Takakeisho whose progress has also been hampered by injuries -- will fight in Osaka as a komusubi, after winning promotion following victories over all three ozeki in January.

When asked about his goal for the Spring tournament, the 26-year-old unabashedly said he was gunning for the championship.

"After Mitakeumi and Takakeisho won championships (last year), it no longer seems like a dream. It's possible for anyone in makuuchi to win," he said.

The Hakkaku stable wrestler will have the chance to show his championship mettle when he faces Hakuho on the opening day of the tournament.

Given recent results in the competitive top division, the prospect of another first-time champion emerging in Osaka cannot be overlooked.