- A Hawaii-born sumo wrestler died of heart failure at the age of 54 while receiving care in Tokyo.
- Akebono Taro grew up in Hawaii and was the first foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993.
- His wife Christine Rowan, in an email to The Associated Press, said he died “last week.”
A Hawaii-born sumo wrestler has died of heart failure at the age of 54 after being the first foreigner to reach the level of ‘grand champion’ in a Japanese sport.
Akebono Taro, whose real name is Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan, grew up in the rural Koolau Mountains of Honolulu.
Taro was the first foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, and “opened the door” for other foreign wrestlers to find success in the sport, according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. .
His death was announced in a statement from his family. “It is with sadness that we announce that Akebono Taro died of heart failure earlier this month while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area,” the family said.
His wife Christine Rowan, in an email to The Associated Press, said he died “last week” but declined to give details.
Hawaiian-born Taro Akebono, Japan’s top sumo wrestler, participates in a ring ceremony before competition in Vancouver, British Columbia, June 6, 1998.
Taro died at the age of 54 from heart failure after being the first foreigner to reach the level of ‘grand champion’ in a Japanese sport.
“I had to attend to personal matters that needed to be resolved before publicly announcing my husband’s death,” she said.
At the best moment of his career he was a true giant; At the time he was said to weigh 500 pounds (225 kilos) and was 6 feet 8 inches tall, or 2.03 meters.
The United States ambassador to Japan. sent his condolences on the social platform.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Akebono, a giant in the sumo world, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the United States and Japan,” Emanuel posted.
“Throughout his 35 years in Japan, Akebono strengthened the cultural ties between the United States and his adopted homeland uniting us all through sports.”
Akebono won 11 major tournaments and retired in 2001.
Taro was the first foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, and “opened the door” for other foreign wrestlers to find success in the sport, according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. .
Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman (right), former sumo grand champion Akebono (left) and Japanese actress Maomi Yuki pose for photographers during a press conference to promote a television show in Tokyo, 25 October 2013.
The family statement said friends and family will hold a “private celebration of his life.” He is survived by his wife, Christine, his daughter and two sons.
“The family kindly asks for privacy during this time of grieving,” the statement said.