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Akebono Taro, the first non-Japanese sumo yokozuna (the highest rank attainable in sumo) and professional wrestler, died April 11th 2024 at the age of 54.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...aiian-dies-54/
He was born Chad Bowen in Hawaii in 1969. He was 6'8" and weighed over 500 pounds, and fought a very aggressive style that used his height and weight to dominate his opponents.
After injuries, he retired from sumo and moved into MMA as part of K-1 Kickboxing, where he had a disappointing record of 1 win and 9 losses.
He also moved into professional wrestling, starting with a sumo-style match against The Big Show at Wrestlemania 21. He would be trained by the legendary Keiji Mutoh (aka. The Great Muta) and work for All Japan, New Japan, and HUSTLE, as well as appearances with several smaller promotions. One of his most memorable moments in wrestling was appearing as "The Great Muta's son Monster Bono", hatching out of a giant egg after Muta impregnated model Yinling with his 'Asian mist'.
In 2017 he suffered a medical emergency and had to be placed into a medically-induced coma. He awoke from the coma after two weeks, but he had lost the use of his legs and required a wheelchair. He was admitted to hospital again at the beginning of April.
Rest in peace, sir.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/0...aiian-dies-54/
He was born Chad Bowen in Hawaii in 1969. He was 6'8" and weighed over 500 pounds, and fought a very aggressive style that used his height and weight to dominate his opponents.
After injuries, he retired from sumo and moved into MMA as part of K-1 Kickboxing, where he had a disappointing record of 1 win and 9 losses.
He also moved into professional wrestling, starting with a sumo-style match against The Big Show at Wrestlemania 21. He would be trained by the legendary Keiji Mutoh (aka. The Great Muta) and work for All Japan, New Japan, and HUSTLE, as well as appearances with several smaller promotions. One of his most memorable moments in wrestling was appearing as "The Great Muta's son Monster Bono", hatching out of a giant egg after Muta impregnated model Yinling with his 'Asian mist'.
In 2017 he suffered a medical emergency and had to be placed into a medically-induced coma. He awoke from the coma after two weeks, but he had lost the use of his legs and required a wheelchair. He was admitted to hospital again at the beginning of April.
Rest in peace, sir.
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