CHAD ROWAN "AKEBONO"
(Born May 8, 1969)
Professional Sumo Wrestler 
In 1993, Chad Rowan was promoted to Yokozuna (Grand Champion),
the highest achievement in sumo, the national sport of Japan.
He was the
first foreign-born person to reach this rank, and one of only 64 to do so in
the 200 year old history of sumo.
Akebono (his sumo name) won 11 tournament championships during his
13-year career. Only 6 other Yokozuna have ever won more championships.
His career record was 566 wins and 198 losses, in the Makunouchi (top)
division of sumo.
Chad Rowan was born in Hawaii and graduated from Kaiser High School in 1987.
He was recruited and coached by Jesse Kuhaulua "Takamiyama", another Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
At his retirement from sumo in 2001, Akebono stood 6 feet 8 inches tall and
weighed 515 pounds.
Historical Timeline: 1963, President Kennedy shot and killed by sniper in Dallas, Texas.
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