Sumo icon Taro Akebono, credited with revitalizing the sport's appeal and earning the distinction of being its inaugural foreign grand champion, has passed away at 54 due to heart failure, according to his family.

The Hawaiian-born wrestler, known for his imposing stature standing at 2.03 meters tall and weighing 210 kilograms, was renowned for his distinctive technique, often leveraging his size to force opponents out of the ring.

Recognized as a trailblazer, Akebono's legacy transcended borders, inspiring admiration from fans and fellow wrestlers on both sides of the Pacific, who lauded him for paving the way for international sumo athletes.

Akebono had been grappling with health issues since collapsing in Kitakyushu seven years prior, reports local media.

Originally named Chad Rowan and hailing from Honolulu, he relocated to Japan in 1988 to pursue a career in sumo. Within six years, he ascended to become Japan's 64th yokozuna, a distinction previously reserved solely for Japanese competitors, underscoring his exceptional skill and dedication to the sport.

In addition to shattering barriers, Akebono's unwavering commitment to sumo endeared him to fans, earning him widespread respect and admiration.

"He makes me forget he is a foreigner because of his earnest attitude toward sumo," remarked Yoshihisa Shimoie, editor of Sumo Magazine, in 1993.

During his career, he went on to claim 10 more championship titles while bringing in millions of viewers from around the world.

His famous rivalry with the Japanese brothers Takanohana Koji and Masaru Hanada is widely credited as breathing fresh life into the sport, at a time when it was struggling for relevance.

In 1996 he became a naturalized Japanese citizen, taking the name Taro Akebono. When he retired from sumo wrestling in 2001 due to repeated knee injuries, over 11,000 spectators attended his leaving ceremony - during which he had his topknot gradually cut off by 320 friends and former competitors.

"I feel sad, much more than I had expected. I feel my head is lighter. I think it is not the weight off my hair but the weight off my responsibility," he said at the time.

As tributes poured in on Thursday, some of the biggest names in the sport honoured him for his strength, modesty, and kindness.

"It was all so sudden, and I cannot come up with words to send him. He was a person full of love," Hanada wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel praised Akebono for serving as a "bridge between the United States and Japan" and strengthening cultural ties between both countries.

Former sports broadcaster Neil Everett credited him with representing Hawaii in Japan and "carrying the weight of the entire state" on his shoulders.

Akebono is survived by his wife Christine Rowan, as well as their daughter and two sons.

Rip

So sad.
May his soul rest in peace.