- A Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler has died of heart failure at the age of 54 while receiving care in Tokyo
- Akebono Taro grew up in Hawaii and in 1993 was the first foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank.
- His wife, Christine Rowan, said in an email to The Associated Press that he died “within the past 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.
Born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan, Akebono Taro grew up on the rural side of the Koolau Mountains from 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 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 earlier this month of heart failure while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area,” the family said.
His wife Christine Rowan said in an email to The Associated Press that he had died “within the past week” but declined to provide details.
Hawaii-born Taro Akebono, Japan’s top Sumo wrestler, participates in an in-ring ceremony before the match in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 6, 1998
Taro 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
His wife Christine Rowan said in an email to The Associated Press that he died “within the past week” but declined to provide details
“I had personal matters that needed to be dealt with before publicly announcing my husband’s death,” she said.
In the prime of his career he was a real giant. At the time he weighed 225 kilos and was 2.03 meters tall.
The United States Ambassador to Japan sent his condolences on social platform X.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Akebono, a giant in the sumo world, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the United States and Japan,” Emanuel wrote.
“During 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 was an 11-time major tournament winner 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 find success in the sport, according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
In the prime of his career he was a real giant, reportedly weighing 225 kilos and being 2.03 meters tall.
Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman, right, former sumo champion Akebono, left, and Japanese actress Maomi Yuki pose for photographers during a press conference to promote a TV show in Tokyo, on October 25, 2013
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 requests privacy during this time of mourning,” the statement said.