Iconic sumo legend Akebono remembered by friends 

I was living alone in Tokyo. In my neighborhood, there was a steak restaurant called "Ribera Steak House" Which was popular for Pro-Wrestlers, MMA fighters and Sumo because of the simple menu: 1 pound steak or half-pound steak. I met Akebono there and he talked to me. He was friendly and down to Earth. I would have to walk passed that place every day to walk to the train station, so if I saw Chad there, I would always say hi. RIP.

I was in Japan when he was wrestling. What a warrior. What a legend. Rest well, Yokozuna.

Sad day for Hawaii. Sad day for sumo. I knew Akebono had serious health issues after his collapse in 2017 but it was difficult to get updates about him since then. The Akebono and Takanohana Wakanohana era was arguably the most popular in sumo history. Although Akebono won less than half (11) of the tournaments the Yokozuna brothers did (Taka 22, Waka 5), you have to remember that wrestlers from the same stable do not have to fight each other unless they are tied for the championship on the final day of the tournament. Taka and Waka's stable was by far the most powerful at the time since in addition to the two Yokozuna brothers, it included Ozeki Takanonami, and Sekiwake Akinoshima, and Takatoriki. Akebono had no one to help him so he had to run this entire gauntlet, plus Musashimaru, Konishiki, and arguably the greatest Ozeki, Kaio, by himself. Really enjoyed watching the matches during this time. RIP Akebono.

My classmate at Kaiser. Bought a lot of lollipops from him. RIP Champ. Aloha.

Mahalo nui loa for all your hard work ❤❤❤

I'm not a sumo wrestling follower, but all my respects to Akebono for living a good life and inspiring others in positive way. Rest in peace, Sir 🙏🏼

Watching him hooked me on Sumo all those years ago. RIP Big Man. You were awesome!

Deepest condolences to the Akebono family. Rest in peace Taro.

I discovered Sumo because of him. I still follow it today.

Absolute legend. RIP

Saw Akebon many times. Yokozuna We love you Thank you. You are truly a Legend

You’re a legend Chad. Rip

Damn, this is a shock. Longtime huge fan of Akebono. I kind of 'grew up' with sumo watching him. Respect to his heart career and all the best to those around him. 🙏

I worked at Japan during the Hawaiian-TakaWaka period. Great rivalry and so sad Akebono is gone.

Aloha my friend, rest in peace, as they said, u were larger than life

RIP Legend. Aloha❤

Akebono the best sumo wrestler and appear in WWE alongside Big Show at WrestleMania 21 sumo match i was so intense about that and i was dying to see it. I would like to know more about Akebono he will be missed and legacy will live on. RIP ❤😢😢❤

I don't watch Sumo wrestling, but as a WWE fan, I do remember the match he had with the Big Show at Wrestlemania 21.

I remember him from his brief appearance in WWE. Rest In Peace,Akebono.

YOKOZUNA! Mahalo my Bruddah! REST IN ALOHA! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

R.I. P. Chad "Akebono Taro" Rowan. A true legend in sumo.

Wow Akebono died on the same day as OJ Simpson. I met Akebono's mom at her shop in Kapahulu. RiP, Chad. Condolences to yr mom, family & friends 🥶🍟🍼

He was great in K-1 Dynamite 2004 game.

Aqui no Brasil também praticamos o sumô e sentiremos muito a falta de de akebono meus sentimentos a família e amigos descanse em paz akebono tarô

This is horrible and sad. Absolutley love Akebono. Rest In Peace, Akebono.

Thank you, Chad. 🙏🏻

Akebono has a appearance in Wrestlemania in a Sumo match against Paul Wight a.k.a Big Show.

Rip Chadwick Haheo Rowan, you will be missed

RIP 横綱🙏🇯🇵

😢 RIP brudda! Aloha ❤❤❤

Rest in peace 💪🏾👌🏾

Rest in love Chad... Waimanalo loves u!!

🙏🏽🕯😔

Differently a Hawaiian legend, We will miss him❤

RIP Hawaiian I just saw you on an old episode of Iron Chef as a tasting judge aloha o'e

😢

RIP sir ❤

Pop Culture Icon Has Be Called Home 🙏🏾🙏🏾🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏🏾🙏🏾

Hero of Hawaii… RIP…

impressive career and achievements. 6'8 sumo is freakin scary tbh. Sadly they life is limited but they know it. rip

Aloha, Yokozuna. ❤ legend.

Rest In Peace

this is so shocking dam rip

Brazilian press not even gave a note about this Warrior.

🙏❤️

🥀Rest in peace, Akebono-san.

RIP Champ!

legend

❤

RIP

RIP.

No Rest In Peace Akebono Tarō (1969-2024) age 54 😢

Aloha & Mahalo~A Hui Hou Kākou~"YOKOZUNA"🙏🕊🤍🤙🙏

Wind's gonna blow, so I'm gonna go Down on the road again Starting where the mountains left me I'm up where I began Where I will go, the wind only knows Good times around the bend Get in my car, goin' too far Never comin' back again…

Sumo unfortunate the health suffers

54 is too young to go to ashes.

I'm a Japanese citizen and I've never heard of this Sumo wrestler.

Aqui no Brasil também praticamos o sumô e sentiremos muito a falta de de akebono meus sentimentos a família e amigos descanse em paz akebono tarô