New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Taro Akebono earlier this month. He was 54.

Akebono was born in Oahu, Hawaii, and entered the sumo world in 1988. Entering the top division of maku uchi in September of 1990, he became yokozuna in 1993. He won top honours in sumo a record eleven times, before retiring in January 2001.

In 2003, he pivoted to K-1, with his debut fight on New Year’s Eve. Fighting Bob Sapp in the Nagoya Dome, Akebono caught the imagination of the nation, but ultimately lost via KO in the first round. After continuing to work in the K-1 and mixed martial arts worlds, Akebono’s introduction to pro-wrestling came in 2005. 

A special sumo exhibition match with Big Show Paul Wight at WWE’s Wrestlemania 21 saw him enter the pro ranks, with the two teaming together later that July in Saitama Sumo Arena, marking Akebono’s transition to the Japanese pro-wrestling ranks. He first appeared in NJPW on January 4 2006 in the Tokyo Dome, teaming with the recently departed Yutaka Yoshie to face Black Strong Machine and Hiro Saito. March 19 in Ryogoku that year, he challenged Brock Lesnar for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. 

He entered the G1 Climax in 2007, and with wins over Togi Makabe and Hiroyoshi Tenzan, ended with a 2-2-1 record. 

Standing at over two meters, and weighing in at a mighty 200 kg, his powerful approach made him instantly memorable and loved by fans. In All Japan Pro-Wrestling, he was a two time Triple Crown Champion, and became the 14th World Heavyweight Champion in ZERO1, as well as making appearances in HUSTLE, DRAGONGATE and DDT.