TOKYO. Feb 1: American sumo wrestler Konishiki has been granted Japanese citizenship, the Justice Ministry said Tuesday. The decision opens the door for the'hefty native of Hawaii to open his own training stable, reports AP.

Konishiki, whose real name is Salevaa Fuauli Atisanoe. was the first foreign wrestler to become an ozeki. or champion, surtto's second-highest rank, a position he held for 39 tournaments from 1987.

Though Konishiki. who is 30. says he does not intend to retire, reports in the media have speculated that he was stying in the ring despite poor performances recently, because1 of a Sumo AssoclatlorrrtJTC banning foreigner; from opening their own training stables.

Sumo's heaviest wrestler at 264 kilograms (580 pounds). Konishiki was demoted for a tournament held last month because of a poor win-lossed record tn November.

Hindered by chronic knee problems, Konishiki bonfoed in the January tournament also, winning oply two of hfs 15 bouts, and faces demotion again before he wrestles next in March.

If Konishiki does open a stable after retiring, he would be only the second foreign-born wrestler to do so. The first was Jesse Kuhaulua. also born in Hawaii, who became a stablemqster in 1986. Kuhaulua. now known as •Azumazekl. was naturalized in 1980.