Heaven and hull for monk on a mission

Fun-loving priest combines religious duties with drive for Olympic kayak glory

Rising silently before dawn to slip on his monastic robes and begin the solemn duties of a Buddhist monk, Kazuki Yazawa is not your average Olympic athlete.

Bowing his shaved head in prayer five times a day as part at the ancient Zenkoji Daikanjin Temple, Yazawa is so committed to his faith very few people would recognize him as Japan's top kayaker.