Akebono has struggled with injuries in his last few tournaments.

Although sumo is pursued religiously in Japan, analysts say fans are becoming bored with a sport that has been dominated by one topknot - Japan's Takanohana, victor of the last three tournaments.

"They're very anxious for Akebono to put up a challenge," Andy Adams, editor and publisher of Sumo World magazine, said recently. "They're not anxious to see one-man domination."

"The stadium doesn't fill up like it used to," said Lora Sharnoff, author of the book "Grand Sumo." Takanohana's domination is "causing some to lose interest."

But people here are worried about a knee injury in 1994 that has kept Akebono (Chad Rowan of Waimanalo), out of three of the last four tournaments. He hasn't won a championship in more than a year.

Akebono made a strong showing in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in July, but was hospitalized for a week with shoulder and ankle injuries following a defeat to Takanohana on the last day.

"I don't think Akebono will ever reach his peak of 1993," Adams predicted. "But the last tournament he looked like he was really on the road to recovery. I think he's capable of winning two or three more (tournaments) if he can regain his conditioning of July."

The Japan Sumo Association announced two weeks ago that yokozuna Takanohana, 24, would retain the highest position in the rankings at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, which starts Sunday.

"Everybody is worried because Takanohana is dominating," said Jesse Kuhaulua, Akebono's trainer and a Maui native. "I hope Akebono doesn't give up. I think he has four or five more good years left."

Analysts said Hawaii's Musashimaru (Fiamalu Penitani) is the only other serious challenger to Takanohana, but he may lack the determination to defeat the grand champion. "I think he's just content to remain ozeki," Adams said. "Becoming a yokozuna is a different kind of life. You have to be a role model and everyone expects 12 wins or more every time. Some people don't like that kind of pressure."

Sharnoff disagreed. "Musashimaru definitely has the heart to win but he has to lose weight," she said.

Kuhaulua said he wants Akebono to focus on basic exercises such as the "shiko" - lifting and pounding the legs. "Akebono doesn't have good warm-ups," he said. "Sometimes you get lazy when you get older. Takanohana is so strong now because he does the basics very seriously."

Akebono also has lost about 50 pounds in the past few months, Kuhaulua added.