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Akebono Tarō

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Akebono Tarō
Yokozuna Akebono is fitted with a tsuna for the last time at his retirement ceremony.
Personal information
Height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight[undue weight? – discuss]
Career
StableAzumazeki
Current rankretired
Record654-232-166
DebutMarch, 1988
Highest rankYokozuna (January 1993)
Championships11 (Makuuchi)
Special PrizesOutstanding Performance (4)
Fighting Spirit (2)
Gold Stars4 (Asahifuji (2), Onokuni,
Hokutoumi)
* Up to date as of January 2007.

Akebono Taro (曙太郎, Akebono Tarō, born May 8, 1969 as Chad Haaheo Rowan) is a retired sumo wrestler. Born in Waimanalo, Hawaiʻi, Akebono became the first foreign born wrestler ever to reach Yokozuna, the highest rank in sumo, on January 27, 1993. His name Akebono means “dawn” in Japanese.[1]

During his 13 years of sumo wrestling, Akebono won the Emperor's Cup a total of 11 times, with a record of 566-198 in the top division. Akebono's rivalry with the brothers, Takanohana and Wakanohana, led to the popularity of sumo on TV in the late 1980s and the early 1990s.[2]

Biography

Early career

Akebono entered the sumo world in March 1988[3], at the same time as Takanohana[4] and Wakanohana[5], who would also eventually rise to the status of Yokozuna. This entry cohort was one of the most successful ever, producing a great Ozeki, Kaio[6] in addition to the three Yokozuna. Akebono rose rapidly through the ranks, equalling the record for the most consecutive kachikoshi (majority of wins in a sumo championship) from debut, reaching sekiwake before suffering his first makekoshi losing record. He was promoted to Juryo in March 1990 and to Makuuchi in September of the same year.

In 1992, after a year of 8-7 or 7-8 records near the top of the makuuchi division, Akebono suddenly came alive with a 13-2 record in January of that year, narrowly losing the top division championship to Takanohana.[7] A second 13-2 record two tournaments later, in May, saw him win the top division championship for the first time, and with it promotion to Ozeki[8].After an injury during the summer he went on to win consecutive championships in November 1992 and January 1993 to win promotion to yokozuna.[9]

Yokozuna era

Akebono was a long standing and strong Yokozuna, lasting nearly eight years in the rank and winning the top division championship on a further eight occasions. His career highlights include the rare achievement of winning the top division championship in three consecutive tournaments. He also beat Takanohana and Wakanohana in consecutive matches to win a basho when all three ended up tied at the end of the 15 day tournament. He was however quite susceptible to injury because of his height and weight. [10]

Akebono was one of the tallest sumo wrestlers ever, at 203 cm (6ft 8in) tall, and also one of the heaviest with a fighting weight around 235 kg (517 lb).[11] Despite having long legs, considered a disadvantage in sumo as it tends to make one top heavy and susceptible to throws, he covered for this by training exceptionally hard, and using his long reach to thrust his opponents out of the dohyo (ring). In his prime, he had incredible thrusting strength and on many occasions would blast lesser wrestlers out of the ring in one or two strokes. In later years he also used his reach to more often grab his opponent's mawashi, or belt, and then use his weight and power to force the opponent from the ring.

The competition between Akebono and Takanohana was said to be one of the great definining rivalries of postwar sumo.[12] The two finished their careers with a 15-15 tie in bouts against one another.

At the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, a professional sumo wrestler was chosen to represent each of the competing countries and lead them into the stadium. After Takanohana fell ill, Akebono was given the honour of representing Japan in the opening ceremony.[13]

Sumo Top Division Record

January March May July September November
(Tokyo) (Osaka) (Tokyo) (Nagoya) (Tokyo) (Kyushu)
1990 x x x x Maegashira #14 E (9-6) Maegashira #7 W (9-6)
F
1991 Maegashira #1 W (8-7)
O☆ 		Komusubi E (8-7)
O 		Sekiwake W (7-8) Maegashira #1 E (8-7)
☆☆ 		Komusubi W (7-8) Maegashira #1 W (8-7)
☆
1992 Komusubi W (13-2)
FO 		Sekiwake E (8-7) Sekiwake W (13-2)
O 		sat out Ozeki E (9-6) Ozeki (14-1)
1993 Ozeki E (13-2) Yokozuna E (10-5) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (14-1) Yokozuna E (13-2)
1994 Yokozuna E (11-4) Yokozuna E (12-3) Yokozuna E (10-2-3) sat out sat out Yokozuna E (10-5)
1995 Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna (14-1) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna W (11-4) Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna W (7-3-5)
1996 Yokozuna W (0-3-12) sat out Yokozuna W (10-5) Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna W (10-5) Yokozuna W (11-4)
1997 Yokozuna E (12-3) Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna W (13-2) Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna W (9-6) sat out
1998 Yokozuna W (10-5) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (10-5) Yokozuna E (11-4) Yokozuna W (10-5) sat out
1999 sat out sat out Yokozuna E (11-4) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (2-2-11) sat out
2000 Yokozuna W (11-4) Yokozuna W (12-3) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna E (13-2) Yokozuna W (14-1)
2001 Sat out Retired x x x x
  • The wrestler's rank, whether he is East or West, and his win/loss record are listed for each tournament.[14]
  • A third figure in win-loss records represents matches sat-out during the tournament (usually due to injury)
Pink Box=Tournament Championship F= Outstanding Performance Prize O= Fighting Spirit Prize T= Technique Prize ☆= Number of Gold Stars.


Retirement from sumo

After winning his eleventh top division title in November 2000,[15] he suffered another injury and, after sitting out the tournament in January 2001, he decided to retire rather than face a daunting struggle back to fighting fitness. After his retirement he became a member (or elder) of the Japan Sumo Association as a coach, or oyakata, and worked with his former mentor in the Azumazeki stable.[16]

While an oyakata, Akebono also appeared in TV commericals[17] and opened a restaurant called ZUNA[18].

Transition from Sumo to K-1

Akebono left the Sumo Association in 2003 to join K-1.[19] The decision was influenced by financial problems due to the failure of his restaurant, among other financial difficulties. K-1 offered him a chance to clear his debts by fighting for them. [20]Akebono made a special appearence at WWE Wrestlemania 21 defeating The Big Show in a Sumo Match.

K-1 record

December 31, 2003 Loss Bob Sapp K-1 Premium 2003 Dynamite!! KO Round 1, 2:55
March 27, 2004 Loss Musashi K-1 World GP 2004 in Saitama Decision 0-3 3 Rounds
July 17, 2004 Loss Zhang Qing Jun K-1 WORLD GP 2004 in Seoul Decision 0-3 3 Rounds + Extra Round
August 7, 2004 Loss Rick Roufus K-1 WORLD GP 2004 in Las Vegas Decision 0-3 3 Rounds
September 25, 2004 Loss Remy Bonjasky K-1 WORLD GP 2004 in Tokyo KO Round 3, 0:33
March 19, 2005 Win Nobuaki Kakuta K-1 WORLD GP 2005 in SEOUL Decision 3-0 3 Rounds
March 19, 2005 Loss Choi Hong-man K-1 WORLD GP 2005 in SEOUL TKO Round 1, 0:42
July 29, 2005 Loss Choi Hong-man K-1 WORLD GP 2005 in Hawaiʻi TKO Round 1, 2:52
July 30, 2006 Loss Choi Hong-man K-1 WORLD GP 2006 in Sapporo KO Round 2, 0:57
December 31, 2006 Loss Giant Silva K-1 PREMIUM 2006 Dynamite!! KO Round 1, 1:02

Mixed martial arts record

December 31, 2004 Loss Royce Gracie K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite!! Submission (Wristlock) Round 1, 2:13
December 31, 2005 Loss Bobby Ologun K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite!! Decision 0-3 3 Rounds
March 3, 2006 Loss Don Frye HERO'S 2006 Submission (Front choke sleeper hold） Round 2, 3:50
December 31, 2006 Loss Giant Silva K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!! Submission (Armlock) Round 1, 1:02

References

  1. ^ Hall, Mina (1997). The Big Book of Sumo. Berkeley, CA, USA: Stone Bridge Press. p. 89. ISBN 1-880656-28-0. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Lewis, Ferd (2006-07-02). "Akebono". Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  3. ^ http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi.php?A=35
  4. ^ http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi.php?A=1
  5. ^ http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi.php?A=2
  6. ^ http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi_6.html
  7. ^ http://www.szumo.hu/sekitori/Akebono.html
  8. ^ http://www.szumo.hu/sekitori/Akebono.html
  9. ^ http://www.szumo.hu/sekitori/Akebono.html
  10. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1130668.stm
  11. ^ http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi.php?A=35
  12. ^ http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070530TDY24001.htm
  13. ^ ""Winter Olympics: Akebono to lead sumo's debut on Olympic stage"". The London Independent. 1998-01-29. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
  14. ^ "Rikishi in Juryo and Makunouchi". szumo.hu. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
  15. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1030992.stm
  16. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1130668.stm
  17. ^ http://www.suntory.com/about/news/2003-08.html
  18. ^ http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fg20030523a1.html
  19. ^ http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,544736,00.html
  20. ^ http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/archive/news/2003/11/20031111p2g00m0dm999000c.html


Preceded by 64th Yokozuna
1993 - 2001 		Succeeded by
Yokozuna is not a successive rank, and more than one wrestler can hold the title at once

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