Yeah, you would think that they would have more presence outside of Hawaii. Perhaps Samoa would be a very fertile ground. It seems like sumo needs an "in" to a region to start getting rikishi from there. Hawaii's presence is mostly due to the large Japanese population. The Mongolian presence was through Judo and Hakuho's father to my knowledge. Other Polynesian islands need one person to really take a chance and step way outside their comfort zone by being the first, and then they can come back and be the ambassador to the sport who can guide other youth towards it.
@@pirateofthepacific9687 It is a tough life, but you could try getting a taste of it if there is any "international sumo" done in Hawaii. These is a league that competes in sumo outside of Japan that removes most of the Shinto ritual and distills it down to just the sport. You can elect to go and try it out before taking the plunge and going to Japan to try to join a heya.
@@pirateofthepacific9687 just go for it bro, I'm 28 now but only recently found sumo. I'm naturally built for it but never got the chance. If someone told me 10 years ago about it, I'd have just moved to Japan right away
@@MajesticSkywhale I’m gonna do it. I got in touch with Konishiki (another sumo wrestler from Hawaii who reached the rank of Ozeki) and he said to prepare for it because it’s not just a sport it’s a lifestyle. So in the summer he’s gonna take me to Oahu to join an amateur sumo stable?? Idk what you’d call it but yeah to practice. I have played football before so I have that going for me. Of course that is totally different.
Akebono is one of the most insightful sumo voices out there. Unique perspective of still being somewhat of an outsider even though he made it all the way to the top. I wish he could do more interviews.
Excellent interview John. I find the idea of a 2nd pro sumo league quite intriguing and I hope he can pull it off. Especially the idea of a two out of three format. I have followed sumo since 1972 when I was statione in Okinawa and do not find all the leadup to a 3 second match to be boring at all but I can see, in today's instant gratification world where a more rapid paced environment with multiple engagements per match might bring in more gaijin followers.
@@InsideSportJapan hate to hear that although this was 2 years ago I hope he's doing better now because it says on Google that he's still alive how is he doing now?
RIP our big friend.
RIP Akebono.
I wish his family would post updates on his health. Akebono will never be forgotten.
Thanks for the memories
We respect you Akebono, RIP.
I love how this guy talk lots of inside information and lots of deep inside thoughts and feelings about his life love you brahdah
RIP brotha, Aloha 🤙🏽
"not everything is about money" what a guy. ❤❤❤ RIP great Yokozuna
Id like to see more Polynesians in Sumo because let's face it we are naturally big people and built like brick houses.
Yeah, you would think that they would have more presence outside of Hawaii. Perhaps Samoa would be a very fertile ground. It seems like sumo needs an "in" to a region to start getting rikishi from there. Hawaii's presence is mostly due to the large Japanese population. The Mongolian presence was through Judo and Hakuho's father to my knowledge. Other Polynesian islands need one person to really take a chance and step way outside their comfort zone by being the first, and then they can come back and be the ambassador to the sport who can guide other youth towards it.
@@dacypher22 I’m from Maui Hawaii and I’m seriously thinking about becoming a sumo wrestler because of Akebono and the other rikishi from Hawaii
@@pirateofthepacific9687 It is a tough life, but you could try getting a taste of it if there is any "international sumo" done in Hawaii. These is a league that competes in sumo outside of Japan that removes most of the Shinto ritual and distills it down to just the sport. You can elect to go and try it out before taking the plunge and going to Japan to try to join a heya.
@@pirateofthepacific9687 just go for it bro, I'm 28 now but only recently found sumo. I'm naturally built for it but never got the chance. If someone told me 10 years ago about it, I'd have just moved to Japan right away
@@MajesticSkywhale I’m gonna do it. I got in touch with Konishiki (another sumo wrestler from Hawaii who reached the rank of Ozeki) and he said to prepare for it because it’s not just a sport it’s a lifestyle. So in the summer he’s gonna take me to Oahu to join an amateur sumo stable?? Idk what you’d call it but yeah to practice. I have played football before so I have that going for me. Of course that is totally different.
So proud to have seen such a marvelous career of a Hawaii born man make the big time.. incredible.. thank you
A Hawaiian legend
Akebono is one of the most insightful sumo voices out there. Unique perspective of still being somewhat of an outsider even though he made it all the way to the top. I wish he could do more interviews.
Saw Akebono,at his Sumo peak,fantastic
Absolutely love this guy
Great interview. A really nice insight in the world of sumo.
He’s Irish, Hawaiian and Cuban. He’s a lot of us. Sad that he lost some abilities in 2018. Always be a champ.
Excellent interview John. I find the idea of a 2nd pro sumo league quite intriguing and I hope he can pull it off. Especially the idea of a two out of three format. I have followed sumo since 1972 when I was statione in Okinawa and do not find all the leadup to a 3 second match to be boring at all but I can see, in today's instant gratification world where a more rapid paced environment with multiple engagements per match might bring in more gaijin followers.
Kidness and happyness a great Soul.
Legend. He use to be my friends neighbor when he lived in Waimanalo Hawaii Oahu.
R.I.P🛐
big inspiration
Whatever this man turned his attention to, he would have been a success.
You have my total respect, always.
Banzi, Champ.
Hidenokuni Hijime.
NS.
what a nice guy!
Great interview.
Glad to hear that Baba's style of wrestling is going to continue , though .
Blacques Jacques I always like Baba style over Inoki Strong Style
he had the greatest slaps of all time
I dunno . I like traditional sumo's pageantry and customs .
So interesting to hear him speak English
That pidgin came out quick! Chee Hawaiian Legend! Kanaka
John where did you get that shirt?
A nice channel.
His brother just got out of jail in hawaii
Im sad because he endure serious hearth attack in 2017
Is that a RedBull-Style Sumo shirt?
Yes. sumodan.bigcartel.com/product/red-sumo-or-sumo-bull-t-shirt
Akebono is part polynesian?
He's from Hawaii.
Yep, from Waimanalo.
TheSilence1 Oh so he's not Samoan but Hawaiian?
Mauimuzik808 Oh ok!
Slim Jim I think he's part of both Samoan and Hawaiian.
So is he gonna get back into sumo
Akebono has been in hospital for over a year and is still at the stage where he is struggling to walk and talk.
@@InsideSportJapan hate to hear that although this was 2 years ago I hope he's doing better now because it says on Google that he's still alive how is he doing now?
@@bluedeadpool7511 There hasn’t been much news in recent times.
@@InsideSportJapan what happened to him?
I thought Chad was Hawaiian.
He is
Irish?! Lol!!!
Chad Rowan. Irish family background on one side.
@@InsideSportJapan oh cool, I never knew that.