The world is mourning the loss of Akebono Taro, one of Hawaii’s most legendary athletes and an iconic figure in sumo wrestling. Born Chad Rowan, Akebono has passed away, leaving behind a legacy ...

The “Waka-Taka” brothers, sons of the popular ozeki Takanohana, had been in the limelight when Akebono came from Hawaii and stepped in the dohyo for the first time at the 1988 Spring Tournament.

Akebono was raised in Hawaii and became the first foreign-born sumo star to reach the level of "yokozuna," or grand champion Charlotte Phillipp is a Weekend Writer-Reporter at PEOPLE. She has been ...