First Time Non-Japanese Get Highest Sumo Ranking, In History January 25, 1993

JAKARTA - On January 25, 1993, American sumo athlete Chad Rowan became the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to become a yokozuna, the sport's highest ranking. Rowan, originally from Hawaii and 23 years old at the time, became the 64th person to hold the top ranking in sumo, Japan's national sport.

Citing History, Rowan then uses his Japanese name, Akebono Taro, which means 'Sunrise' or 'Dawn.' Akebono has a height of 2.03 meters and a weight of 233 kg. In his last year of high school, Akebono was new to basketball. He then managed to get a basketball scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University. However, he gave up basketball and dropped out of college to pursue a career in sumo.

Taking advantage of his height, Akebono Taro then perfects his thrusting style, producing immense power and enough to send opponents flying out of the ring. After passing through the lower ranks and setting records along the way, Akebono joined the senior division in 1990.

In 1992, Akebono won two tournament championships. After winning his second consecutive championship in early 1993, he was promoted to yokozuna. He went on to win four of the eight championships. However, in mid-1994, injuries began to bother him. He was forced to miss many tournaments. Despite that setback, he continued to return to the dohyō (sumo ring).

“Akebono is still young and there is no need to rush for promotions. He should have had more opportunities to learn sumo and build dignity," said Tokyo Governor Shinichi Suzuki.

Akebono then simply said, “I will do my best to train well and live up to everyone's expectations.”

Akebono retired from sumo in 2001. He retired winning 11 championships. A total of 566 wins, 198 losses at the makuuchi level and 122 records as a yokozuna. In addition, Akebono was awarded four Outstanding Performances and two Fighting Spirit prizes.

Despite all that, Akebono continues to maintain her dignity as a yokozuna by not significantly changing her lifestyle, despite her fame. Akebono also avoids crowds whenever possible. Although he officially became a Japanese citizen in 1996, Akebono still shows his identity as an American.

After retiring, Akebono was a sumo coach for two years. He later participated in professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts competitions. He also occasionally competes as a professional wrestler.

To quote Japanistry, Sumo is said to have its roots in a Shinto ritual dance in which the most powerful people display their power before a deity or spirit as a sign of respect and gratitude to bring good harvests. It is then used as a way to compare strengths and determine which fighter is most proficient in hand-to-hand combat.

In the Edo period, professional sumo wrestlers emerged from the amateur ranks and regular competitions began to be held. The best fighters began to gain celebrity-like status and popularity, and sumo quickly spread. Sumo wrestlers are also known as rikishi.

There are six levels in sumo, namely maku-uchi, jury, makushita, sandam, jonidan, and jonokuchi. New sumo wrestlers are in the jonokuchi rank or the lowest rank.

The highest rank in sumo is the yokozuna, usually achieved by winning two consecutive honbasho (large ranking tournaments). As of July 2021, there have been 73 yokozuna recorded in sumo history. This proves that the yokozuna rank is not easy to achieve.

*Read other information about TODAY's HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.