2024-04-11 19:16:47
Akebono – the first American to reach the highest rank in the world of sumo – “yokozuna”, died at the age of 54, the Associated Press reported, cited by BTA.
The cause of his death was heart failure.
Akebono has been competing in Japan since 1988. Five years later, he became the 64th yokozuna in sumo history, as well as the first non-Japanese wrestler to reach the top of the thousand-year-old sport’s pyramid.
Born Chadwick George Ha’aheo Rowan on the island of Hawaii, Akebono won 11 titles during his professional career, which ended in 2001.
In 1996, the American also acquired a Japanese passport, remaining in the Land of the Rising Sun for the rest of his life.
Two years after giving up sumo, Akebono made his debut in the K1 circuit in mixed martial arts, and in 2005 he participated in Ketchmania 21 in the USA. His last appearance in the ring was in 2017, when his serious health problems began.
Akebono leaves behind a wife, a daughter and two sons.