The Sumo Scene / Legendary late Yokozuna Akebono was as kind-hearted as he was powerful as a star in the era of Hawaiian-born wrestlers

Another yokozuna who etched his name in sumo history has died.

Hawaiian-born Taro Akebono, whose name at birth was Chad Rowan, became the first non-Japanese major champion. The 64th yokozuna died last month at the age of 54.

He had fallen ill in 2017 during his time as a post-sumo professional wrestler and was laid up for a long time, but his death at such a young age must have come as a shock to many.

Akebono was a symbol of the group of wrestlers from Hawaii who rose to prominence and created their own era in the world of sumo.

It was former sekiwake Takamiyama, who would bring Akebono to Japan and mentor him as stable master, who paved the way and opened the door for others. Former Ozeki and fellow Hawaiian Konishiki, who made his mark with his intense power, widened the path and with Akebono’s promotion to Yokozuna, it can be said that the Hawaiians came into full bloom.

Musashimaru, who was two years younger than Akebono, also reached yokozuna and the heyday of Hawaiian wrestlers was in full swing.

Akebono made his ring debut at the 1988 Spring Tournament alongside future yokozuna siblings Wakanohana and Takanohana. One of Akebono’s great achievements was being able to compete on an equal footing with the popular brothers.

Since Kaio also made his professional debut at the same tournament, Akebono faced many high-level rivals at the same time. Takanonami, Takatoriki and Akinoshima all belonged to the same Fujishima stable (later Futagoyama) as Wakanohana and Takanohana.

His eleven tournament titles against such top competitions represent more than just a number. Many wrestlers said that the power of Akebono’s thrusting attack, unleashed from such a massive frame, measuring 200 centimeters in length and weighing more than 200 kilograms, was almost frightening.

But against that image, deep down he overflowed with kindness.

At the 1993 Kyushu Tournament, Akebono handed Ozeki Konishiki his eighth defeat, a defeat that ensured the older Hawaiian would be demoted from the second-highest rank. Although sympathy is taboo in the dog-eat-dog sports world, Akebono impressively bowed to Konishiki in the ring after the match, as if apologizing.

“At that moment I felt like I wanted to quit the tournament,” he later revealed.

The kind-hearted Yokozuna was loved by many and left a strong impression on his fans. He lived a full and fulfilling life that ended all too soon.

— Kamimura is a sumo expert.