sahaven111 172 Posted April 11 https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202404110000240.html This is the only source i've seen so far. But i believe it's credible. The first foreign yokozuna has passed on. Heart failure, apparently. 2 33 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muhomatsu 224 Posted April 11 It’s all over the Japanese media now. I loved watching him in the 90s! He and his rivals helped me get into the sport! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,631 Posted April 11 Last words to his wife was "I love you" https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202404110000325.html His wife, mom, and oldest son were present according to the article 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,631 Posted April 11 Other media now picking this up https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/20240411-OYT1T50067/ https://www.sanspo.com/article/20240411-IMWSHLJOZJIYHM5JBHYUBTPB7I/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,135 Posted April 11 (edited) For many years it felt like this was imminent. Still, it jolted me to see the news. Akebono is my favourite yokozuna. Such a presence on the dohyo, with the best yokozuna entrance I've seen (those eyes!). Watching him blast people out with 1 or 2 pushes helped stimulate my interest in sumo, as did learning about his rivalries with the Hanada brothers. RIP Chad, you made a huge mark! Edited April 11 by Katooshu 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaninoyama 1,694 Posted April 11 Was Yokozuna at first basho I ever attended in Ryogoku. Along with Musashimaru he jump-started my interest in sumo and that time remains my favorite sumo era. R.I.P. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dada78641 884 Posted April 11 That's incredibly sad, to pass away at only 54. He was active before I started watching sumo, but I've still seen a lot of his bouts on Youtube and he was truly a magnificent wrestler in a magnificent era. I was still really holding out hope that he'd be able to somehow recover from landing in a wheelchair through physical therapy, but it wasn't to be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dada78641 884 Posted April 11 Brief news article in English: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/04/11/akebono-giant-sumo-world-proud-hawaiian-dies-54/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 39,770 Posted April 11 (edited) Kyodo - silent and only Japanese subs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhAm_ykljW0 ANN/Abema: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0R9JocbPT0 - longer and with a digest of his sumo career https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Tx4y1e7Zh/ The CEO of RIZIN started his press conference today with this very sad news - he's proud and thankful that Akebono agreed to fight for the start of RIZIN at the end of the year 2015 under shootboxing rules against Bob Sapp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQceCABIEw - looks like there are more pics from his MMA/pro wrestling time than for sumo in the news so far Edited April 11 by Akinomaki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oshirokita 173 Posted April 11 Akebono was my favourite rikishi when he was active. I was thrilled that he was able to win a final yusho in his last active basho. I fondly remember meeting his mom at her little shop in Hawaii where I bought loads of Akebono memorabilia. She threw in some stickers and fridge magnets that I see every day in my home. I proudly wear a t-shirt with his yokozuna silhouette and the words "Hawaii's Rising Sun" every now and again. Very sad news of his death, though not unexpected after his long health woes. Mahalo Akebono. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,433 Posted April 11 (edited) Just saw this on the Guardian and of course had to log in to acknowledge it. 54 is no age at all. So sad. Sumo loses too many of its greats at too young an age. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/11/pioneering-hawaiian-born-sumo-champion-akebono-dies-aged-54 Edited April 11 by Eikokurai Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yohcun 393 Posted April 11 Fighter to the end As good a time as any to repost this wonderful talk he gave 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingo 1,160 Posted April 11 Rest in peace big man. Way too young. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morning 74 Posted April 11 May he rest in peace. I remember from when I first encountered Sumo back on Eurosport. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leoben 121 Posted April 11 (edited) Oh man, that sucks. RIP. Good time to revisit his dohyo-iri at Nagano in 98'. Whatever the circumstances (I read Takanohana was ill at the time?), it's so cool that he was afforded the honor as the first foreign-born Yokozuna. Edited April 11 by Leoben 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Gunning 3,513 Posted April 11 Sad day. Really nice guy and a legend in the sport. Here’s a chat I had with him a few years back just before he got sick. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhyen 1,809 Posted April 11 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/10/world/asia/akebono-taro-sumo-dead.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
code_number3 694 Posted April 11 From JSA, with English subtitle https://youtu.be/crFxgpVeqhY 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gernobono 455 Posted April 11 I've been wearing this on a silver neklace for the last 15 years I guess i will not wear it any longer 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsuchinoninjin 1,244 Posted April 11 Rest in peace! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
code_number3 694 Posted April 11 From the BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68787193 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,663 Posted April 11 I knew he'd been ill for several years, but this is way too soon. RIP yokozuna. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fashiritētā 169 Posted April 11 (edited) Rest in Peace Chad! Aloha Hefe Edited April 11 by Fashiritētā Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tigerboy1966 1,376 Posted April 11 He's been very sick for a long time. This is a release. No more pain for you, big man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
