Akebono: Yokozuna Forever
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Back in January I wrote a tribute to Ice Train when he passed away. Since Violent People has launched I’ve written an obituary. I’ve written about the death of my mother and I’ve written about the plight of Appalachia. Basically what I’m saying is I swear I’m a fun time and don’t want to pigeonhole myself as the “obit guy.” However, we’re fans of a business full of cool mother fuckers. Sadly these violent people are going to pass away and I feel compelled to tell their story, as limited as my knowledge or writing ability may be.
Akebono Taro, born Chad Haaheo Rowan on May 8, 1969, in Waimānalo, Hawaii, was a towering figure in the world of combat sports. Renowned for his dominance in sumo wrestling, his valor in kickboxing, and aura in professional wrestling. Akebono stood above all the rest both literally and figuratively. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing over 500 pounds during his prime, Akebono was one of the largest sumo wrestlers in history. His journey to becoming a sports icon was as remarkable as it was captivating.
Raised in Hawaii, Akebono’s formative years were marked by a passion for a variety of sports. He excelled in basketball and football, showcasing his athleticism and competitive drive from a young age. However, it was his introduction to sumo wrestling that would ultimately shape his destiny.
Akebono’s journey in sumo wrestling truly began when he moved to Japan in his late teens to pursue a career in the sport. Under the guidance of the prestigious Azumazeki stable. The Azumazi stable was run by Azumazeki Oyakata, a famous Hawaiian born Sumo. Despite a shared heritage his trainer worries his size and long legs could be a liability for Chad. Upon moving to Japan Chad adopted the ring name, Akebono. Which means new dawn. He was giving this nickname because he was so tall when he stood up it seemed he would never stop rising, like the sun.
He made his professional debut in 1988 and quickly rose through the ranks with his unparalleled combination of size, strength, and technique. Any doubts his trainers may have had quickly faded away. He was a prodigy. He quickly reached the highest rank a sumo wrestler can reach through majority wins at tournaments, sekitori. He did this in record time.
His ascent culminated in 1993 when he became the first foreign born wrestler to achieve the esteemed rank of yokozuna.
Many reading this site may only know Yokozuna as the former WWF Champion. It is also the name of the highest rank possible in sumo wrestling. Unlike other ranks there is no automatic way to achieve it. Many times there are no active yokozunas at all. Though winning two championship tournaments in a row is usually enough, it is subjective and there are many other criteria to achieve.
Less than a year prior to his historic achievement, another foreign sumo wrestler, Konishiki, found himself denied the prestigious title of yokozuna, despite a record that rivaled his Japanese counterparts. Konishiki’s allegations of racial bias ignited a contentious debate, casting a harsh light on Japan’s societal norms and values.
However, Akebono’s path to yokozuna was paved with resilience and determination. His second consecutive tournament victory, achieved in commanding fashion, solidified his place in history. Yet, amidst the celebration, whispers of discomfort emerged among the Japanese populace. Some questioned whether foreigners could ever embody the revered dignity, or “hinkaku,” essential to the yokozuna title, while others harbored concerns of a cultural invasion. Akebonos reverence for the sport in addition to his dominance was too much to deny. Ironically Akebono would question future generations of sumo for being “too Americanized,” which he seemed to use as an euphemism for soft and lazy.
Throughout the 1990s, Akebono dominated the sumo world, capturing the hearts of fans with his commanding presence in the ring and his unparalleled success in tournaments. He remained at the top of the sport and an active Yokozuna for 8 years.
Despite his dominance in the sport, Akebono faced numerous challenges throughout his sumo career, including injuries, specifically herniated discs and constant back problems. However, his resilience and determination never wavered, and he continued to compete at the highest level until his retirement from professional sumo in 2001. His retirement marked the end of an era in sumo wrestling, but his impact on the sport would be felt for years to come as he would go on to train the first Mongolian sumo wrestler to attain the rank of Yokozuna, Asashoryu Akinori.
Following his retirement from sumo, Akebono he was a member of the Japanese Sumo board, restauranter, and a commercial spokesman. After his restaurant, Zyns, failed and being told he would never be allowed to become the head of the Japanese Sumo board he embarked on a new chapter in his life and athletic career. Akebono ventured into the world of kickboxing. Despite his relative inexperience in the sport, his imposing size and strength made him an intriguing opponent for top kickboxers.
In his debut, Akebono engaged in a highly anticipated match at K-1 Premium 2003 against renowned heavyweight fighter and cultural icon Bob Sapp, drawing a crowd of 45,000 to the Nagoya Dome. This event featured a co-main event with Shinsuke Nakamura fighting in an MMA bout. Despite Akebono using his size to bully and move around Sapp, quickly his lack of skill and cardio for the sport became apparent. The yokozuna was knocked out in the first round.
Even after the loss Akebono quickly gained recognition in the kickboxing world, earning respect for his toughness and determination. His toughness and notoriety ended up being his own worst enemies in the sport. Undeterred by his lack of skill or aptitude for kickboxing he was continually put up against top tier opponents. He would face champions and hall of famers: Musashi, Remy Bojanksy, amongst others. He would end his career with a depressing 1-9 record. During this period he would also dabble in mixed martial arts. If anything those results were worse with a 0-4 record that includes losses to Royce Gracie and Don Frye.
Akebonos next foray was into our world here at Violent People, professional wrestling. Akebono was brought in by WWE to face The Big Show at Wrestlemania in a Sumo match. It was weird and awkward and forgettable. Big Show calls it his most embarrassing moment of his career. That covers A LOT of ground. His WWE career consisted of a squash match against Fast Eddie and the Mania match and a random Raw tag match. It seemed like this would be another Ill advised post sumo career move, Akebono stuck with it and something amazing happened. He got good. Like really good. He had an aura and size and understood how important that was in pro wrestling.
I’m not going to step by step go through every twist and turn of his wrestling career. He wrestled for every major puro company and a bunch of smaller ones as well. Instead I’m going to highlight a few matches and moments I think captures his pro wrestling career.
This is the aforementioned Wrestlemania sumo match. It’s not really worth revisiting, but was definitely worth a mention and I hope the big guy got a huge check from the Fed.
This is definitely his first great singles match, maybe his first good singles match. They could be rough up to this point, but he holds his own here. He doesn’t look out of place against Brock at all. Immovable object vs an unstoppable force.
Just a great big man vs little man match. Doi works his ass off, but Akebono is up for the challenge . Super hot crowd as well.
Akebono & Munenori Sawa vs Gerard Gordeau & Ryouji Sai 04/14/10
UFC 1 sumo revenge match! A fun tag carried by Gerard and Akebono really putting over the threat of Akebono getting his hands on you.
ONITAAAA! Every Onita match is CINEMA and this is no exception. Akebono is more than game for this, though. Its a No Ropes Barbed Wire Explosion Double Hell, Exploding Barbed Wire Bat & Exploding Barbed Wire Chair Deathmatch according to cagematch. Explosions, mist, chairs and bats, what’s not to love?
Akebono vs Kento Miyahara 06/21/15
Looping these two together. Akebono working a big puro title match style is so cool. He had a crazy solid reign as Triple Crown Champion. Moves crazy well here. 2015 is probably when Akebono was at his peak as a pro wrestler.
This is far from all encompassing just a few of my favorites that are readily available. Wish I could have found a good representation of his team with Ryota Hama to include.
Akebono was truly a freelancer, popping up anywhere and everywhere. Throughout his career, Akebono remained a beloved figure because of his charisma, and aura.
In later years he connected more with his Sumo roots. He served as a cultural ambassador for his home state of Hawaii and continued to inspire generations of athletes with his remarkable achievements.
Sadly Akebono Tarō passed away, last week, at the age of 54 due to complications from heart disease. His legacy as a pioneering figure in sumo wrestling, a fearless competitor in kickboxing, and professional wrestler willing to give his all will continue to inspire generations to come. He is survived by his family and remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of witnessing his greatness inside and outside the ring.