Former Sumo And Wrestling Star Akebono Dead At 54
Former yokozuna and two-time Triple Crown Champion Akebono has sadly passed away.
In some sad news, Akebono Tarō has passed away at the age of 54.
Japanese media were the first to announce this news, with the sumo-turned-wrestler's cause of death being reported as heart failure. Previously, Akebono had been ill since a 2017 DDT tour which initially left him hospitalised. Upon his release from the hospital, the big man was required to use a wheelchair and continued to suffer from heart complications.
Born in Hawaii in 1969 as Chadwick Haheo Rowan, the 6'8" Rowan would enter the world of sumo in 1988 and be given the name Akebono. By 1993, Akebono became the first non-Japanese sumo to reach yokozuna - the highest possible rank in sumo - and he'd remain at that level for an impressive eight years.
Akebono would formally retire from sumo in January 2001, soon switching his attention to kickboxing and MMA, most notably with the K-1 promotion. While that didn't go too well for him, an appearance at WWE WrestleMania 21 against the Big Show would lead to Akebono entering the pro wrestling world. Just a couple of months after that 'Mania match, Akebono joined All Japan Pro Wrestling, and he'd achieve plenty of success in an in-ring career that also took in the likes of NJPW, Hustle, and Dragon Gate - with him becoming a two-time AJPW Triple Crown Champion, and later founding his own short-lived Ōdō promotion.
The thoughts of us all at WhatCulture Wrestling go out to the family, friends, and fans of Akebono.