Sumo Wrestler Akebono Retires

TOKYO (AP) â€” Hawaii-born Akebono, the first foreign wrestler to reach the highest rank in Japan's ancient sport of sumo wrestling, is quitting. <br><br>The 6-foot-9, 510-pounder, formerly Chad Rowan,

Monday, January 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TOKYO (AP) â€” Hawaii-born Akebono, the first foreign wrestler to reach the highest rank in Japan's ancient sport of sumo wrestling, is quitting.

The 6-foot-9, 510-pounder, formerly Chad Rowan, informed the Japan Sumo Association on Monday that he intends to retire.

``My body doesn't listen anymore,'' the wrestler said at a news conference at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena. ``This wasn't an easy decision. I really agonized over it.''

Akebono sat out the New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament, which ended Sunday, because of chronic knee problems.

Reports of his expected retirement were carried on Monday's front pages of two major Japanese newspapers, the Asahi and the Yomiuri.

The 31-year-old Akebono's retirement marks the end of a pioneering and very successful career.

Akebono â€” originally from Honolulu and a naturalized Japanese citizen â€” made his sumo debut in 1988, and has won 11 tournaments, including the final tournament last year. He has been ranked at grand champion for 48 tournaments, the fourth-longest tenure ever.

``By becoming a grand champion, I've done what the average person doesn't have a chance to do,'' Akebono said. ``I'm so thankful to everyone.''

Though Akebono's rise through the ranks of sumo was one of the fastest in the history of the tradition-laden sport, many purists opposed his promotion to its top rank of yokozuna, or grand champion.

Many in Japan initially opposed Akebono's promotion, in March 1993, because they thought only Japanese-born wrestlers should be considered. There were also concerns that the sport would be overrun by bigger, stronger foreigners.

But he has silenced most of his critics, and another Hawaii-born wrestler, Musashimaru, later joined him at grand champion.

In sumo, two wrestlers try to force each other out of an elevated clay ring. There are six sumo tournaments each year. Wrestlers face a different opponent on each of the tournaments' 15 days, and the one with the fewest losses is declared the winner.