It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all of the passing of Chadwick Haheo Rowa, better known by his Sumo title of Akebono Taro, at just 54 years of age. One of the very few Americans to take up the grueling Japanese sport of Sumo, Akebono become one of only 73 athletes to become a Sumo grand champion since its beginnings in the 17th century, and the first ever non-Japanese to win that honor. A true Yokozuna.
Speaking of Yokozuna, you may remember Akebono's "debut" in front of an American audience. This was against Big Show in that 'Sumo' match at WM21. While that moment didn't exactly land with audiences, it did inspire Akebono to go Pro. He made his debut in one of the more creative ways possible: being born from a giant egg as the son of adult star Ying-Ling and The Great Muta at a HUSTLE show (Still a better debut than Kizarny). But from there, things would only go up, as he became a staple of Keiji Mutoh's AJPW, winning the illustrious Champion Carnival league, becoming the first winner of the Royal Road tournament and claiming the prestigious Triple Crown championship.
Akebono would also face NFL star turned WCW powerplant trainee turned actor turned singer turned MMA fighter, Bob Sapp. In what could be described as the freak show fight to end all freak show fights, Taro vs. Sapp drew an estimated 54 million viewers on Japanese TV. That's a bigger rating than the finale of Friends.
Many may not have known him, but no one can deny his accomplishments.
Rest in Power, Akebono. May your legacy live on.