Episode 578 – The Kings of the Ring, Part 5

May 16, 2025 Leave a comment

This week: in the span of just a few years, Akebono goes from a rookie in sumo to one of its most prominent names, and alongside Konishiki one of the Americans dominating in the top division. But unlike Konishiki, he has the potential to go one step further. So, how does a guy from Waimanalo become the first non-Japanese citizen ever to claim the title of yokozuna?

Sources

Panek, Mark. Gaijin Yokozuna: An Autobiography of Chad Rowan

Benjamin, David. Sumo: A Thinking Fan’s Guide to Japan’s National Sport

Akebono’s entry on SumoDB, going over the major stats of his career.

Images

Akebono defeats Takanohana, from a 1997 tournament. It’s later than we go in this episode but it’s too good of a photo not to include.
From left to right: Musashimaru, Konishiki, and Akebono together in Honolulu.
Akebono celebrating his Ozeki promotion.
Akebono’s tegata.
Akebono and Azumaseki Oyakata/Takamiyama, early in Akebono’s training. The fact that Takamiyama appears to be quipping about his height is….consistent, let’s say.
Akebono pointing to himself on the banzuke. He did this a LOT and there are so many photos of it; I can’t tell which tournment this is from, but based on where his finger is, it looks to be around the time he was still a top division rank-and-file Maegashira.

Finally, some videos: the match that made Akebono a yokozuna, and a compilation of Akebono/Takanohana matchups.

 

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