Akebono Tarō (曙太郎), born Chad George Haaheo Rowan, was born on May 8, 1969. He is a Japanese-American sumo, mixed martial arts, and professional wrestling wrestler. Akebono rose to prominence in the sumo world by attaining the rank of yokozuna in 1993, becoming the first foreigner to achieve this prestigious title. During his sumo career, he acquired Japanese nationality.
In 2001, he decided to retire from sumo to enter mixed martial arts, where he competed for three years. Later, in 2005, Akebono entered professional wrestling, where he had a successful career until 2017, the year in which he was forced to retire due to health problems.
Chad Haakeo Rowan was born on May 8, 1969, the eldest son of Randolph and Janice Rowan. He has two brothers, including Ola, who also dabbled in sumo for a brief period.
Rowan attended Henry J. Kaiser High School in Hawaii, where he excelled in basketball. Later, he obtained a scholarship to play at the University of the Pacific in Hawaii, although he ultimately did not participate in any games.
Despite his initial interest in studying tourism and hospitality, Rowan was drawn to the world of sumo after watching televised fights, which led him to decide to become a rikishi (sumo wrestler). He was introduced to the Azumazeki oyakata (previously known as the sekiwake Takamiyama II), who was also a native of Hawaii.