Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54.
Sumo Akebono Obit FILE - Hawaiian-born Taro Akebono, Japan's top Sumo wrestler, takes part in a ceremony in the ring prior to competition in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 6, 1998. Hawaii-born Akebono, one of the greats of sumo wresting and a former grand champion, is reported to have died earlier this month of heart failure while receiving care at a hospital in Tokyo, the United States Forces in Japan said in a statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (Chuck Stoody/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Chuck Stoody/The Canadian Press via AP, File
Sumo Akebono Obit FILE - Akebono poses for a photo during a news conference at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Tuesday, July 26, 2005. Hawaii-born Akebono, one of the greats of sumo wresting and a former grand champion, is reported to have died earlier this month of heart failure while receiving care at a hospital in Tokyo, the United States Forces in Japan said in a statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo /Lucy Pemoni, File)
AP Photo /Lucy Pemoni, File
Sumo Akebono Obit FILE - 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 TV program in Tokyo, on Oct. 25, 2013. Hawaii-born Akebono, one of the greats of sumo wresting and a former grand champion, is reported to have died earlier this month of heart failure while receiving care at a hospital in Tokyo, the United States Forces in Japan said in a statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)
AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File
Sumo Akebono Obit FILE - Accompanied by a sword-bearer, grand champion Akebono performs the ring-entrance ritual during the annual New Year's dedication at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, on Jan. 8, 1997. Hawaii-born Akebono, one of the greats of sumo wresting and a former grand champion, is reported to have died earlier this month of heart failure while receiving care at a hospital in Tokyo, the United States Forces in Japan said in a statement on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
TOKYO (AP) — Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan.
“It is with sadness that we announce Akebono Taro died of heart failure earlier this month while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area,” the family said in a statement.
His wife Christine Rowan, in an email to The Associated Press, said he died “within the past week” but declined to give details.
“I had to tend to personal matters that needed to be done prior to publicly announcing my husband’s death,” she said.
Akebono grew up on the rural side of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu and was born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan.
He moved to Tokyo in the late 1980s and won his first grand championship in 1993.
At the prime of his career he was a real giant, reported at the time to weigh 500 pounds (225 kilos) and stand 6-feet-8 — or 2.03 meters.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Akebono, a giant in the world of sumo, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the United States and Japan,” Emanuel posted.
“When Akebono became the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, he opened the door for other foreign wrestlers to find success in the sport. Throughout his 35 years in Japan, Akebono strengthened the cultural ties between the United States and his adopted homeland by uniting us all through sport.”
Akebono was an 11-time grand tournament winner and he retired in 2001.
The family’s statement said friends and family will hold a “private celebration of his life.” He is survived by his wife, Christine, daughter and two sons.
“The family kindly asks for privacy during this time of mourning,” the statement said.
