World

Akebono Taro, Legendary First Foreign-Born Sumo Grand Champion, Dies at 54

BOUNDARY BREAKER

Akebono’s massive size—6-foot-8 and 466 pounds—helped him dominate smaller opponents in the sumo ring.

Amanda Yen
Amanda Yen 

Breaking News Intern

Akebono Taro, born in Hawaii as Chad Rowan, performs a ritual prior to a match in the 1993 San Jose Basho sumo wrestling tournament held June 4-5, 1993 at the San Jose Event Center in San Jose, California.
David Madison/Getty
Amanda Yen

Amanda Yen

Breaking News Intern

amanda.yen@thedailybeast.com

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.

Trending Now
Biden WorldHere’s Why Michelle Obama Was Nowhere to Be Seen at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral
Liam Archacki
U.S. NewsHenry Winkler Slammed for Fueling Viral L.A. Fire Theory
Emell Derra Adolphus
PoliticsTrump-Appointed Justice Casts Deciding Vote Against Him
Yasmeen Hamadeh
MediaSteve Bannon Pitches a Fit Over George W. Bush’s Trump Handshake Snub
William Vaillancourt
MediaFox Loses Last-Ditch Effort to Stop Massive $2.7B Defamation Suit
Emell Derra Adolphus