HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii sports legend Akebono Taro, who made history when he became the first non-Japanese-born sumo wrestler to reach the sport’s highest title, has died. He was 54.

“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,” the family said in a statement obtained from ...

Taro Akebono, the first foreign-born yokozuna and ... taken care of him through the “Hawaii kai (club)” since he was young. It was the fifth tournament since Akebono was promoted to yokozuna.

The world is mourning the loss of Akebono Taro, one of Hawaii’s most legendary athletes and an iconic figure in sumo wrestling. Born Chad Rowan, Akebono has passed away, leaving behind a legacy ...