Koji Takanohana Reveals Surprising Bond with Late Taro Akebono

I also watched that match live

From around 1993, when Akebono became the 64th Yokozuna, he was in an unbeatable state for about three years. He was physically large, with well-developed lower body strength, calm and composed. Among all the past Yokozuna, he was perhaps the strongest.

However, after that, Akebono injured his knee. Larger wrestlers tend to suffer from more severe injuries due to their weight, and from then on, Akebono had to fight against knee issues. In January 2001, his knee reached its limit, leading to his retirement. He became the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the top of the sumo world, undoubtedly creating a legacy. Having fought countless serious matches, his career record was 25 wins and 25 losses. Being able to match Akebono’s record is something I’m proud of.

After that, Akebono entered the K-1 ring at the age of 34. On December 31, 2003, he fought Bob Sapp, and the match achieved a 43% peak viewership rating, surpassing even NHK’s Red and White Singing Contest. However, Akebono lost by a first-round knockout. I was at the commentary booth but couldn’t find the right words, and I left the venue without saying anything.

During my active career, I focused solely on sumo, hardly speaking to other wrestlers, including those in the same stable or those in my douki (peer group). However, after retiring in 2003, I began attending douki meetings. Whenever we gathered, Akebono’s strength was always the topic of discussion. The story of being blasted off the ring by his powerful two-handed thrust is still talked about to this day. I believe that we shared a true friendship that only those who battled on the ring could understand.

In 2017, Akebono collapsed while on a professional wrestling tour and was rushed to a hospital in Fukuoka. At that time, I was in Fukuoka for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament as a stablemaster. I rushed to the hospital, but by the time I arrived, he was already in the intensive care unit, and I couldn’t see him. I handed flowers to his wife, Christine Reiko Karina, at the hospital entrance and only prayed for his safety. The last time I spoke to Akebono was a few months earlier at a douki gathering.

Akebono was like a superhero from the manga “Kinnikuman,” loved not only by sumo fans but also by many people. I often think back to his cheerful and kind smile from our training days.