Akebono death updates — Wrestling legend leads tributes as Hawaiian-born WWE and sumo icon dies age 54
SUMO wrestling icon Akebono Taro has died at the age of 54.
11-time grand tournament winner Akebono was the first person born outside of Japan to earn the title of grand champion or “yokozuna.”
Confirming the star’s passing and cause of death, his family wrote: “It is with sadness that we announce Akebono Taro died of heart failure earlier this month while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area.”
At the peak of his wrestling career, Taro weighed 500lbs and towered over opponents at 6ft8ins – with his fighting style relying on his huge size to thrust opponents out of the ring.
Following huge success in Japan, Akebono made his WWE debut where he faced off against the Big Show.
Paying tribute to Taro, wrestler Samoa Joe wrote: “RIP to the Mighty Akebono. The epitome of a Yokozuna, both a warrior and a gentlemen. A hui hou.”
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