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Hawaiiborn Akebono Taro, one of many greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the primary foreignborn wrestler to succeed in the extent of “yokozuna” or grand champion in Japan.
TOKYO: Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of many greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the primary foreign-born wrestler to succeed in the extent of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan.
“It’s with disappointment that we announce Akebono Taro died of coronary heart failure earlier this month whereas receiving care at a hospital within the Tokyo space,” the household stated in an announcement.
His spouse Christine Rowan, in an electronic mail to The Related Press, stated he died “inside the previous week” however declined to offer particulars.
“I needed to have a tendency to non-public issues that wanted to be accomplished previous to publicly saying my husband’s demise,” she stated.
Akebono grew up on the agricultural aspect of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu and was born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan.
He moved to Tokyo within the late Eighties and received his first grand championship in 1993.
On the prime of his profession he was an actual big, reported on the time to weigh 500 kilos (225 kilos) and stand 6-feet-8 — or 2.03 meters.
The US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, despatched his condolences on social platform X.
“I used to be deeply saddened to study of the passing of Akebono, an enormous on this planet of sumo, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the US and Japan,” Emanuel posted.
“When Akebono turned the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, he opened the door for different international wrestlers to search out success within the sport. All through his 35 years in Japan, Akebono strengthened the cultural ties between the US and his adopted homeland by uniting us all via sport.”
Akebono was an 11-time grand event winner and he retired in 2001.
The household’s assertion stated family and friends will maintain a “personal celebration of his life.” He’s survived by his spouse, Christine, daughter and two sons.
“The household kindly asks for privateness throughout this time of mourning,” the assertion stated.
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McAvoy contributed from Honolulu.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Related Press)