Akebono Tarō Famous American Sumo Champion Akebono Dies At 54, Obituary & Funeral

Akebono Tarō Famous American Sumo Champion Akebono Dies At 54, Obituary & Funeral

admin April 11, 2024 News, Sports, WWE No Comment

Akebono Tarō Famous American Sumo Champion Akebono Dies At 54, Obituary & Funeral

Akebono Death News

Former American Sumo Champion Akebono Dies At 54 reported on Wednesday, April 11. Who was Akebono? Akebono Tarō was an American-born Japanese former professional sumo wrestler and professional wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. He became the first non-Japanese yokozuna grand champion and He won 11 grand tournaments during his career. Akebono cause of death The Akebono cause of death revealed as due to heart failure. Akebono had been battling an illness since collapsing in the city of Kitakyushu seven years ago, and had been hospitalized near Tokyo, the reports said. He died earlier this month after his condition took a sudden turn for the worse.. He died at age of 54. Death Of Yokozuna Akebono reported on Wednesday, April 11 in Tokyo. Akebono Wife & Family Akebono is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons. Akebono Funeral Details A private funeral will be held for the sumo legend. The burial of the great sumo wrestler will take place in a private ceremony. Wrestling world reacts on the passing of Akebono Tarō Wrestling world reacted after the death news of Akebono. “RIP to the Mighty Akebono,” posted Samoa Joe, the current world champion of AEW pro wrestling. All Japan Pro-Wrestling issued a statement listing his accomplishments, saying his “fights and personality have captivated many fans.” Akebono Tarō Biography Akebono, born Chadwick Haheo Rowan in Waimanalo, Hawaii, became the 64th yokozuna in 1993 and gained immense popularity. He won 11 grand tournaments during his career. He made his debut in professional sumo in March 1988 and reached the top division in the September tournament two years later. he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990. Akebono was promoted to yokozuna in 1993. After two consecutive yusho or tournament championships in November 1992 and January 1993 he made history by becoming the first non-Japanese-born wrestler ever to reach yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo. One of the tallest and heaviest wrestlers ever, Akebono’s rivalry with the young Japanese hopefuls, Takanohana and Wakanohana, was a big factor in the increased popularity of sumo at tournament venues and on TV in the early 1990s. During his eight years at the yokozuna rank, Akebono won a further eight tournament championships, for a career total of eleven, and was a runner-up on thirteen other occasions, despite suffering several serious injuries. Although his rival yokozuna Takanohana won more tournaments in this period, their individual head-to-heads remained very close. He retired from sumo in January 2001 and resigned from the Japan Sumo Association in 2003. That year, he announced his participation in K-1, a combat sport that combines elements of martial arts with kickboxing and wrestling. Akebono became a Japanese citizen in 1996, and after retiring in 2001 he worked as a coach at Azumazeki stable before leaving the Sumo Association in 2003. After an unsuccessful period as a K-1 fighter, he became a professional wrestler. In All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) he has been a two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, two-time World Tag Team Champion, and two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion, as well as winning the 2015 Champion Carnival. In 2017, as a result of health problems, he became inactive from professional wrestling. He passed away of heart failure in 2024, less than a month before his 55th birthday. Akebono made an appearance on SmackDown World Wrestling Entertainment, All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2005. Rest in Peace.
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