Akebono Taro, first foreign sumo grand champion dies at 54

جنگ نیوز
Akebono Taro, a sumo wrestler, born in America, has died at the age of 54

Akebono Taro, a sumo wrestler born in America, has died at the age of 54.

According to Reuters, the Sumo Association on Thursday, April 11, confirmed that Akebano passed away in Tokyo this month due to heart failure at the age of 54.

Akebono, who won 11 championships and ranks 10th in modern sumo history, was very big, 203 centimeters tall and 233 kilograms heavy. 

He used his large size to push opponents out of the ring in his fights.

Born as Chad George Ha'aheo Rowan in Hawaii, Akebono initially played college basketball.

Later, he was recruited by a Hawaiian head of a Japanese sumo stable. 

Taro joined the sumo world in 1988 and eventually reached the top rank of yokozuna in January 1993, becoming the 64th yokozuna in modern sumo.

He later became a Japanese citizen and changed his name to Taro Akebono. Like Konishiki from Hawaii and Musashimaru from American Samoa, Akebono, as a foreigner, followed in their footsteps in the sumo world.

After retiring from sumo in 2001, Akebono frequently appeared on Japanese TV shows as a celebrity.

On the other hand, Taro also competed in mixed martial arts and professional wrestling events.

Read more : Sports

Ben Shelton, Mirra Andreeva earn lifetime Wimbledon perks after reaching quarter-finals

Ben Shelton, Mirra Andreeva earn lifetime Wimbledon perks after reaching quarter-finals
Players who reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals receive a prize of £400,000

Novak Djokovic reaches 16th Wimbledon quarter-final after dramatic win

Novak Djokovic reaches 16th Wimbledon quarter-final after dramatic win
Djokovic played the match while his long-time rival, Roger Federer was watching from the Royal Box

Cristiano Ronaldo's league may soon welcome Messi after shocking report surfaces

Cristiano Ronaldo's league may soon welcome Messi after shocking report surfaces
This report comes at time when there is uncertainty about Messi current contract with Inter Miami

Wimbledon breaks silence on line-call failure in Pavlyuchenkova-Kartal match

Wimbledon breaks silence on line-call failure in Pavlyuchenkova-Kartal match
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova slams Wimbledon's line-calling blunder for stealing ‘a game from’ her

Caitlin Clark coach slams WNBA All-Star selection process: ‘Disappointing’

Caitlin Clark coach slams WNBA All-Star selection process: ‘Disappointing’
Cheryl Reeve ‘really disappointed’ after selection of only two players from WNBA top teams for All-Stars

Ricky Hatton makes shocking comeback announcement, ends 13-year retirement

Ricky Hatton makes shocking comeback announcement, ends 13-year retirement
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton to end 13-year retirement to Face Eisa Al Dah in Dubai

Carlos Alcaraz makes historic winning streak at Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz makes historic winning streak at Wimbledon
The Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious against Andrey Rublev in a high-stakes match

Tom Brady spotted with A-listers after Sydney Sweeney's dating rumors shut down

Tom Brady spotted with A-listers after Sydney Sweeney's dating rumors shut down
Tom Brady and Sydney Sweeney got caught up in dating speculation st Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Italian nuptials

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elise Mertens to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Elise Mertens to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals
Sabalenka had already defeated Elise Mertens nine times in a row before this Wimbledon match

Lando Norris wins British Grand Prix at home after dramatic penalty twist

Lando Norris wins British Grand Prix at home after dramatic penalty twist
Nico Hulkenberg took his first podium finish for the first time in his career after racing 239 times

Arsenal sign Spain star Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in major summer deal

Arsenal sign Spain star Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in major summer deal
Martin played 236 match for their first team and became known as one of the best deep midfielders in Spain's La Liga

Roger Federer reveals ‘unbelievable’ gift after first Wimbledon win

Roger Federer reveals ‘unbelievable’ gift after first Wimbledon win
Federer won his debut Wimbledon title two decades ago after beating Mark Philippoussis