- A Hawaii-born sumo wrestler has died of heart failure at the age of 54 while receiving treatment 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 “within the last week.”
A Hawaii-born sumo wrestler has died of heart failure at the age of 54 after becoming the first foreigner to reach the level of “grand champion” in a Japanese sport.
Akebono Taro, born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan, grew up in the rural Koolau Mountains of Honolulu.
Taro was the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, and he “opened the door” for other foreign wrestlers to succeed in the sport, according to the US 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 treatment at a Tokyo area hospital,” the family said.
His wife Christine Rowan, in an email to The Associated Press, said he died “within the last week” but declined to elaborate.
Hawaiian-born Taro Akebono, Japan’s top sumo wrestler, takes part in an in-ring ceremony before the competition in Vancouver, British Columbia, June 6, 1998.
Taro died at the age of 54 from heart failure after becoming the first foreigner to reach the level of “grand champion” in a Japanese sport.
“I had to deal with personal matters that needed to be addressed before publicly announcing my husband’s death,” she said.
At the height of his career, he was a true giant, weighing 500 pounds (225 kilos) at the time and standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, or 2.03 meters tall.
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 of the sumo world, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the United States and Japan,” Emanuel said.
“Throughout his 35 years in Japan, Akebono strengthened the cultural ties between the United States and his adopted country by uniting us all through sports.”
Akebono won a major tournament 11 times and retired in 2001.
Taro was the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, and he “opened the door” for other foreign wrestlers to succeed in the sport, according to the US 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 news conference to promote a television program in Tokyo , October 25, 2013.
The family’s statement said friends and family will host a “private celebration of his life.” He leaves to mourn his wife Christine, his daughter and his two sons.
“The family kindly requests privacy during this time of grieving,” the statement said.
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