Akebono, Foreign-Born Sumo Champion in Japan, Dies at 54
Taro Akebono, a Hawaii-born sumo wrestler who became the sport’s first foreign grand champion, has died. He was 54.
He died of heart failure in early April while receiving care at a hospital in Tokyo, the United States Forces in Japan said in a statement on Thursday.
Born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan in Hawaii, Akebono became Japan’s 64th yokozuna, or grand champion sumo wrestler, in 1993, the first foreign-born sumo wrestler to win the sport’s highest title. He went on to win a total of 11 grand championships.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons, according to the U.S. Forces in Japan.
Motoko Rich contributed reporting.
This is a developing story.