USA SUMO: AKEBONO HIGHLIGHTS, Sumo Movie Screening, Sumo Clinic, Sumo Festival, Ocean's 13

Photo: Sunny Side Up, Inc.

World-renowned AKEBONO was the first "rikishi" (sumo wrestler) not born in Japan to achieve sumo's highest rank of "yokozuna". Originally from Hawaii, AKEBONO is the tallest pro rikishi in recent times, at over 6'8" and over 500 pounds. AKEBONO is also the most successful foreign rikishi ever, with 11 Professional Sumo Championship titles.

Born in 1969, AKEBONO grew up in Hawaii, but moved to Japan at the age of 18 to enter professional sumo. In under 5 years, he shot up to the rank of yokozuna, where he debuted in March, 1993. From May, 1992 to November, 2000, he won a phenomenal 11 tournaments, before announcing his retirement in January, 2001. AKEBONO is now an "oyakata" (stable master), continuing the sumo tradition by training aspiring young rikishi.

2003 - Sumo Festival

California Sumo Association brought AKEBONO to a number of public appearances, including at local Los Angeles festivals.

2003 - Movie Screening "Sumo East & West"

We coordinated a movie screening with AKEBONO and filmmakers Ferne Pearlstein and Robert Edwards.

2003 - Sumo Clinic

AKEBONO offered an historic Sumo Clinic, the first time that an "oyakata" (pro sumo coach) and "yokozuna" (Grand Champion) coached international athletes in sumo in the U.S.

2003 - US Sumo Open

The 2003 US Sumo Open was a phenomenal competition, but the biggest surprise was when AKEBONO stood up from his announcer's chair, and stated, "I'm gonna fight." To the amazement of everyone present, he slipped out of his formal wear, walked to a corner, put on a mawashi, and fought seven matches against the champion athletes!

AKEBONO as announcer, before he suddenly changed into a mawashi.

The US Sumo Open heavyweight and openweight gold medalist! Toth was undefeated (9-0) until he faced AKEBONO!

Barbabas Toth and AKEBONO celebrate.

2006 - Ocean's 13

AKEBONO is a featured sumo wrestler in this film, competing against long-time rival and fellow Grand Champion (both from Hawaii), MUSASHIMARU. AKEBONO (the tallest) is picture here with Ren Urano (referee), Erdenebileg Alagdaa (sumo judge and US Sumo Open champion), and Byambajav Ulambayar (World Sumo Champion in orange). Shooting took place in Los Angeles in September, 2006.

photos: Chieko Hayashi