Akebono’s Final Yūshō

Rest in peace Chadwick Haheo Rowan AKA Akebono Tarō 1969-2024
In sumo, it is almost unheard of that a rikishi bow out at the top of their game. For most, the years leading up to retirement are marked by a slow and arduous waning of strength and spirit, until no other option remains. In the case of sumo’s first foreign-born Yokozuna, however, the final year of his career marked a remarkable return-to-form.
Akebono had bulldozed his way to sumo’s top rank some seven years prior, equipped with an anomalous brand of oshizumo made possible by his unprecedented stature. Standing 6’8” tall and weighing around 500lbs, the young Akebono would regularly claim victory with no more than a couple extensions of his long arms, backed by the power of his tremendous bulk.
Unfortunately, this extreme size would contribute to a variety of injuries over the years that saw the Yokozuna’s power rise and fall intermittently. During the final two years of the 1990s, Akebono was unable to claim a single top-division championship, and was forced to sit out on five separate occasions. By the start of the new millennium, however, the Yokozuna came roaring back with what one could fairly argue was the strongest sumo of his career. After adapting a more balanced grappling style during the middle part of the last decade, Akebono returned to his roots, exploding out of the tachiai with arms outstretched, once again sending his foes flying out of the ring. In the November tournament of 2000, following a surprise defeat to a quick-thinking Wakanosato on day 3, Akebono proceeded to demolish all of the sport’s top-rankers in a completely one-sided display of dominance, finishing with a 14-1 record and taking home the Emperor’s Cup for the 11th and final time. In his final five tournaments as a Yokozuna, Akebono claimed three jun-yūshō and two yūshō, scoring no less than 12 wins in any of those contests. After sitting out the first basho of the new year, he would announce his retirement.

[@JonDaGuy]

Timestamps 0:22 Akebono vs Hayateumi 0:44 Akebono vs Akinoshima 1:08 Akebono vs Wakanosato 1:40 Akebono vs Takanonami 1:55 Akebono vs Higonoumi 2:21 Akebono vs Wakanoyama 2:35 Akebono vs Tochinohana 3:00 Akebono vs Musoyama 3:17 Akebono vs Chiyotenzan 3:40 Akebono vs Miyabiyama 4:12 Akebono vs Chiyotaikai 4:39 Akebono vs Dejima 4:55 Akebono vs Kaio 5:17 Akebono vs Takanohana 5:40 Akebono vs Musashimaru

[@detimuliawati339]

l maan

[@JonDaGuy]

Seeing people come back to this after Akebono’s passing is truly heartwarming. Rest in peace Akebono ❤

[@samuelmontalvo701]

RIP to the Sumo Legend

[@jlee6823]

I watched sumo as a kid and Akebono was definitely one of the rikishi that I really admired. RIP Akebono. Thank you for all the work you put into the sumo world. 🙏

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Akebono Tarō (May 8, 1969 - April 11, 2024), aged 54 You will be remembered as a legend

[@hardknocks96792]

RIP AKEBONO., THANK U FOR REPRESENTING HAWAII IN SUMO 🤙🏽

[@TheAaronDuck]

Those face sketches are great! Wish they still did this

[@TonyPstunts]

RIGHT?! I loved this!

[@Path.82]

Yes,

[@giogio5838]

RIP. Akebono will forever remain the legend of sumo.

[@FrankypankyV8]

I remember the good old times with Eurosport. Offering Sumo and F1... How times have changed

[@kevthegoat8774]

Akebono really was a freak of nature in his Sumo days, the difference in how he could move back then and when he retired and fought in K-1/MMA is like night and day.

[@tomtalker2000]

He truly was a GIANT grand champion. One of the best this sport has seen in many years.

[@JonDaGuy]

i always believed Ichinojo could develop into a similar rikishi. very sad he has retired.

[@robert900222]

I watched this era of sumo back in the 90's as a child with my father. Still love sumo. These huge guys would still dominate today lot of amazing wrestlers at this time.

[@JonDaGuy]

I agree 100%.

[@Dephire]

I wish I was into sumo in this time! Akebono was quite the yokozuna.

[@mikesands4681]

1994-2000 was a great age of sumo

[@roberthale8407]

@@mikesands4681 Yes it was indeed. I met Akebono at the New Sanno after he retired and he is HUGE, I'm 6'4" and 28 and he made me feel small. Great person. Great smile.

[@whisperthebull6707]

I lived in Japan from 94-96. It was a great time for Sumo. Akebono, Takanohana, Mushashimaru.

[@soapbox187]

I love, love, LOVE the fact they took the time to create little caricatures for their wrestler intro as opposed to just a name. Really humanized the experience and great attention to detail.

[@zorniki]

So many 90s memories on Eurosport! RIP Legend!!! ❤🌸

[@user-on7yk9mc3b]

RIP Akebono 🤙🏽🙏🏽

[@PuuberZ]

It's so nostalgic to see the Eurosport logo up there in the corner and hear this guys voice.

[@rupertkennedy7964]

MINKEY BOODLE!

[@fifthbusiness1678]

What a tournament - he was so dominant. He became a Komusubi when I lived in Japan from 1989-91, as I recall. The Wolf was in his twilight years as Yokozuna. Always enjoyed his battles, and his sheer mass.

[@hakkeyoisumonewsandstats]

Rest in Peace Akebono 😔

[@shinankoku2]

Akebono was at the top of his game when I was living in Japan. Rest well warrior.

[@MrIncredibleBeingFactual]

rip akebono❤️

[@AlexJones0316]

RIP Akebono.

[@jomon723]

Met him two times, once in Tokyo New Sanno Hotel, working out at the gym there and once here in Okinawa, Nice guy with really big hands, American name is Chad Rowan.

[@shinankoku2]

Truly a Chad!

[@franckauger9490]

RIP, AKEBONO TARO

[@leongtimothy9075]

Legend to the sport. And the first Yokozuna that introduced me to sumo (besides E.Honda). He was like the final boss of sumo back then. The kingpin. Rest in peace big man.

[@elijahlingzhaozhong6398]

RIP Akebono. One of the most successful sumo wrestlers.

[@davidsorum1715]

Chad is one hell of a guy and one of the most awesome Yokozuna to have ever graced the world stage.

[@Kupoinfo]

What a crazy era, Sanyaku fighting each other in the first week! Would've loved to gone to Sumo matches when Akebono and Musashimaru were active!

[@davidsachs4883]

More recently there was a time with six Ozeki. Combined with Hakuho, two S and two K made for 11 titled wrestlers. That would make 10 out 15 opponents titled. They had to start with the top competition in the first week.

[@B3Band]

Well there were three yokozuna and like 37 ozeki so they had no choice lol

[@sqwop]

RIP legend, I first know about him in MMA fight, true warrior

[@sevaughnligon1894]

Rip 😭 Akebono Tarō (1969-2024)

[@ProjectMathesar]

RIP Legend!

[@deanzaZZR]

RIP Sumo King 横綱曙

[@hafirenggayuda]

Rest in peace

[@tomtalker2000]

Akebono had height and weight going for him. Just a mountain of a man. But EXTREMELY explosive and agile for his immense size. By far one of THE BEST sumo wrestlers of all time in my humble opinion.

[@Sasfoot]

I remember when ESPN would show sumo competitions in the late 90s dance early 2000s, and I really enjoyed it. I was a Kaio fan and always upset he never got to Yokozuna. I saw something written once where somebody called him one of the greatest Ozeki to never make Yokozuna.

[@Rawker101]

I'm not really a fan of pusher thrusters but I like how Akebono did it. He had that long reach/gait and used it to his advantage. Those arms would reach his opponent before they could get to him at the tachiai and then he would just drive forward with those long powerful legs and it was a wrap. Such a simple technique but it was extremely effective. I think if Abi gained some serious bulk and strength, he could very well be close to matching Akebono.

[@swoz_]

Akebono had all that reach, but also he was 6'8'' and over 500lb. So he enormous, very strong and hard to move.

[@JonDaGuy]

I think Ichinojo could be an excellent thruster I’m sure it would be easier on his back than his current strategy as well

[@swoz_]

@@JonDaGuy Ive thought a lot about that too. It seems like it would benefit him a lot.

[@JonDaGuy]

@@swoz_ He's still got time to improve. I think with a change in strategy and mindset he could easily be an ozeki level performer

[@duende29]

Abi has speed on his side but this tactic also needs the inertia. Abi can force their heads up but Akebono pushed the whole man and sent them flying back.

[@giorgixucishvili9033]

Akebono😢😢😢😢

[@vinceleretrogameur6298]

RIP Akebono

[@banehthistle7709]

This is amazing. Akebono was a physical gift for sumo, I wish he managed his weight better. Maybe his prime would have been extended.

[@drew4564]

Nah he was right where he needed to be, he just had the toughest competition of any sumo wrestler with the hana brothers and musashimaru every tournament

[@Fr0sty4242]

thanks for the video. an amazing Yokozuna

[@drew4564]

I remember this I was 8 years old I was such a huge fan of akebono

[@janellek21]

Akebono had the best tsuppari in the recent history of sumo.

[@JonDaGuy]

truly a one of a kind rikishi

[@bryanschmidt7336]

Thanks for posting this. I first saw sumo in Japan in 2012 and have been a fan ever since. I've heard of Akebono, so seeing him in action was very cool

[@capitalistraven]

Heard a sumo podcaster describe Akebono as the greatest Oshi sumo practitioner of all time and watching this I agree. In spite of his size he was so lightning fast on getting inside with those thrusts and followed lateral charges with scary accuracy. What a legend. Rest in peace.

[@PhilippensTube]

(Did Akebono tried a Henka on Takanohana? It looks as if he sidestepped in the taichiai and tried to push Taka out.) But in all honesty and seriousness, Akebono was kind of my hero. He was Yokozuna when I got interested in sumo and I was totally impressed by this giant. Maybe he wasn't a really technical wrestler, but his raw power was very impressive. And in the end it doesn't matter what technique he used, the other wrestlers were powerless against him. Sa sad that he passed away at such a youg age and had so many medical issues in his last years. He couldn't remember his sumo career, and that's really tragic. It was a huge part of his life and as all top sports go, you sacrifice a lot to get at the top, and it's something you have to cherish for the rest of your life and then it's sad that you have no memory of it. A huge loss for the sumo family.

[@pinoi78]

RIP Chad Rowan.

[@user-ug5xi2bs1m]

大相撲では、白鵬さんと同様に応援していました。引退されてから、ボブサップさんとの試合、ハッスルでのグレート'ボノ大仁田さんとの電流マッチなど多彩にご活躍をされて凄いなと思っておりました。非常に残念です。ご冥福をお祈りします。

[@drawingjunge]

RIP Akebono taro

[@douchmush9861]

Oh my god those little drawn faces of them!

[@danteamorbello9734]

Damn Akebono, Musashimaru and Takanohana facing each other. What a time to be a fan of sumo. It's a shame they were just a little too old when Asashoryu came round, those bouts could have been cool as fuck to watch.

[@grendelum]

really wish they’d bring back those little drawings

[@diegomr6969]

increible , AKEBONO the FAST KILLER el mejor!! hawaiano puro!

[@lpa9974]

Such an interesting and amazing sport! Thank you for this video.

[@JonDaGuy]

If you are interested i highly recommended channels like Natto Sumo and Sumo Stew. Thanks gor watching

[@saineghi]

RIP Giant!

[@jacobishii6121]

I remember these years as a kid.....such an amazing athlete

[@Kcets]

I think Akebono at his peak might be the most dominant yokozuna of all time. He didn't just beat his opponents, he made them look like CHILDREN. I'd love to see Akebono in his prime vs Hakuho in his prime.

[@toms5oh]

Got to meet him in 92 in Tokyo

[@LucidFlameX]

Just overwhelming force. Even as a giant and a superheavyweight even by sumo standards, he could really move around.

[@supersabrosinho]

Crazy how someone so massive can look so weak outside of sumo

[@michalmozola91]

This man make me a sumo fan…

[@TheDan14]

such a legend, would love to see Hokuseiho try to develop his sumo in Akebono's style. so few wrestlers have the height to even try

[@janellek21]

Well that's not going to happen now :-(

[@ShadowYamoto]

I only learnt of his death as he was featured in Legacy 2024 2nd week of April. I've been following Akebono Taro's career since his Sumo bouts and all the way into the Rizin ring.

[@Path.82]

My top 5 Sumo Wrestler Chionofuji,Akebono, Asashoryu,Takanohana, Haku.

[@JonDaGuy]

Where do you rank my main man Tochinoshin?

[@stephenmartinek8315]

Good lord, Akebono pushing ozeki and yokozuna around like children.

[@jasonlow2266]

The real E Honda

[@emp100k]

At 6'8" tall and 514 lb Akebono's sheer size and physicality overwhelmed most foes.

[@dacoldest3896]

5:57 that guy in in the blue lost but he is strong asf to hold that position lol

[@shinankoku2]

Musashimaru. He held the Yokozuna rank, too (meaning he was a total badass). I always liked the ‘forlorn warrior’ look he had on his face.

[@user-yd6fy6zn4s]

2秒くらいで吹っ飛ばされてている力士率 高すぎで草。強すぎる。👍

[@kriskee89]

RIP

[@antonyjackson4613]

Was that 4 ozeki and 2 Yokozuna he beat?? I mean both Yokozuna are Dai-Yokozuna too. Wow

[@ricmndy1]

5 Ozeki .. Musoyama, Miyabiyama, Chiyotaikai, Deijima and Kaio

[@JonDaGuy]

Amazing time for sumo

[@mikesands4681]

i remeber when Musashimaru, akebono, takanohana and wakanohana were all yokozuna. it was wild in the sanryaku level

[@venox3811]

@@mikesands4681 Golden age of Sumo

[@KingPineFlesh-WX]

Rest in peace big man

[@cosimocub]

legend

[@chijanofuji]

Thanks for putting up this video, Jon! I remember this basho well and it brings back some great memories! I began watching sumo in 1995 when the Sumo jungyo in Paris Berci was aired live on Eurosport and they subsequently started broadcasting the honbasho. Eurosport used to show highlights of each honbaso about 2 to 3 weeks after the fact, dividing each basho into 5 broadcasts that each covered 3 days. In the beginning I used to watch with Dutch audio commentary, where they had a very enthusiastic and inspiring commentator named Frans Henrichs who used to be an ice hockey and motorsports commentator before also moving on to commentating on Judo and Sumo. He really inspired me to get into watching Sumo and when he suddenly died of a heart attack aged 71 in 1999 and I could not stand his successors as Dutch language commentators on Eurospots' Sumo broadcasts I switched to the English commentary where I found the commentator you hear in this broadcast, Sid Hoare (who used to be in Judo), to be quite knowledgeable and competent. When I started watching Sumo Akebono and Takanohana were the 2 yokozuna, with Takanohana just about reaching his peak and beginning to dominate significantly over Akebono (before that Akebono was the stronger of the two). Akebono was my favorite in that great rivalry. He not only had to contend with Takanohana every basho but also with Takanohana's strong Futagoyama-beya mates Wakanohana (his elder bother who also became yokozuna and had just retired earlier in 2000, 8 months before this clip you are showing here), Takanonami (longtime Ozeki), Takatoriki (father of current makuuchi rikishi Oho) who won his only yusho in March 2000, and Akinoshima . Towards the end of his career Akebono finally regained his mojo and indeed had a great finish in 2000 before sitting out the January 2001 basho and retiring.

[@blahblah2779]

Nobody gives a fuck

[@jesusthroughmary]

weird to see him fighting an ozeki on day 8

[@ricmndy1]

There were 5 of them at the time plus 2 other Yokozuna had to happen

[@marcschmidt7846]

Akebono war echt ein Büffel, riesig groß und strotzend vor Kraft; genau so Musashimaru. 2 faszinierende Yokozuna!

[@cloudninetysix5288]

Did anyone assumed that, those image on right side of their name title are so accurate even though it just look like a simple drawing!

[@Ken-kv6hc]

曙が活躍した頃自分は小学生だったが、強くて怖いラスボスって感覚だったのを覚えているわ

[@tappeillusioner364]

Akebono Taro is amazing The only true sumo giant

[@prieten49]

Akebono with that fearsome look! When I came to Japan, Wakanosato, Miyabiyama, Kaio, Shiyotaikai, and Asashoryu were some of the top sumo wrestlers. Akebono was already gone. Musashimaru broke his wrist and had to retire.

[@michaelobille5447]

It's the stablemaster of Futagoyama heya, former Ozeki Miyabiyama!

[@antonyjackson4613]

Rip to the legend

[@wordsisnukes]

splendid

[@B3Band]

How many ozeki were there? damn

[@stankers4952]

AkeBoner!!!

[@Altraice]

I cannot imagine the fear that would be in you while squaring up with the monster that is Akebono. Sheer terror.

[@Niceonthefrenchriviera]

So why did he retire at the top of his shape?

[@JonDaGuy]

Mostly injury and health related reasons. Being a 6 foot 8 nearly 500 pound monster among men is strenuous. Went out on top :)

[@SombaMweene]

Rip

[@70sfan]

Will you upload more videos like this one? I mean the most dominant performances from former Yokozunas, that would be really fun!

[@danielhazelrigg4351]

He didn't make the video, he ripped it from someone else on Facebook and hasn't credited them

[@wolfkaiser7596]

wow three Yukozonas in that basho and May 2022 only one

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

I wonder why the coaches of their stables don't do more to control the weight of wrestlers. Akebono did not need to be that heavy. He would have been just as strong and powerful 70 pounds lighter and it might have extended his career.

[@Agave310]

Sumo wrestlers historically have not been huge guys. Only the last few decades have they been just large dudes. But seems to be going back to the strength lately. Hakuho was fit and strong, not huge. Wakatakakage is smaller too and wins.

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

@@Agave310 I get what you are saying but it doesn't address my point. Take Konishiki for example. He made it to Ozeki and came close to making it to Yokozuna all while being way to fat and immobile. If you look at his earlier days when we was around 400-420 pounds he was amazingly mobile and strong. If his stable master would have insisted he stay at a certain fighting weight I am sure he would have made it to Yokozuna and been very dominant.

[@HkFinn83]

@@CRAZYHORSE19682003 I think it’s to do with the fact that the guys that are even genetically capable of getting to those enormous sizes are very prone to weight gain, obvs. And Akebono was Polynesian. Islanders are extremely predisposed to weight gain.

[@drew4564]

He's a Samoan they are supposed to be big

[@jpanokealii4502]

Wow Tochinohana had full momentum on Akebono and he got a full stop from Chad.

[@peter-jamesmmbago8721]

Man, to do the throws even the pre-fight Shiko is no easy feat, you really need good balance...And Sumo wrestlers have good footwork

[@erice5372]

Ake was so dominant. Dwarfed all the other rikishi with few exceptions.

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

It ' s a question of balance !

[@dermysticschadow6727]

Als 👦🏻 hatte ich das jeden Abent auf Euro Dport grsehn.

[@Trollioli]

Did Akebono try for a fucking Henka? What an odd thing to do that late in the game.

[@dsnodgrass4843]

All legal tactics are fair game between Yokozuna, including henka. Rolling a henka on a Maegashira would be bad form; but between equals it's acceptable. Tends to give the crowd a thrill, too.

[@giorgixucishvili9033]

😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@matthewjohnson1633]

That Wakanosato won a round was cool asf

[@whataleague6013]

da fuq makebono ( :p ) was a beast!

[@luciidusal]

Another 40kg and Am I could be a lot like this. Big long thrusts with a lot of oomph behind them.

[@GeorgeSamia]

😢😢😢😢