Hawaiian sports activities actions world mourns lack of Akebono
The world is mourning the dearth of Akebono Taro, one amongst Hawaii’s most legendary athletes and an iconic decide in sumo wrestling. Born Chad Rowan, Akebono handed away, abandoning a legacy as a beloved ambassador of the islands and a pioneer throughout the sport of sumo.
Standing at 6 toes 8 inches, the earlier Kaiser Extreme Faculty basketball standout and one-season participant for the Hawaii Pacific Faculty basketball group transitioned to sumo wrestling, the place he made historic previous. Akebono turned the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to realize Yokozuna grand champion standing, the easiest rank in sumo.
Following his sumo occupation, he found success in expert wrestling and blended martial arts, incomes a spot throughout the Hawaii Sports activities actions Hall of Fame.