Taro Akebono, the first foreign-born yokozuna and later a mixed martial artist and pro wrestler, died of heart failure in early April at a hospital near Tokyo, according to a source close to him.

Taro Akebono, the first non-Japanese yokozuna grand champion sumo wrestler, has died Taro Akebono, the first foreign sumo wrestler, died at the age of 54. Born Chad Rowan in Hawaii, he shattered ...