From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Akebono Taro (曙太郎, born May 8 1969 as Chad Haaheo Rowan) is a Sumo wrestler.
He was born in Hawaii and was part of the great rikishi class of 1988. On January 27, 1993, Akebono became the first non-Japanese wrestler ever to reach yokozuna, the highest rank in Sumo.
Akebono was chosen to represent Japan at the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He retired after winning 11 championships and became Akebono oyakata (trainer/parent) at the Azumazeki stable. In 2003, he retired from sumo entirely and is currently a K-1 wrestler in Japan.

