A Hawaii-born sumo wrestler has died of heart failure at the age of 54 after being the first foreigner to reach 'grand champion' level in a Japanese sport. Akebono Taro, who was born Chad George Ha'aheo Rowan, grew up on the rural side of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu. Taro was the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo´s highest rank, in 1993, and he 'opened the door' for other foreign wrestlers to find success in the sport, according to U.S. ambassador to Rahm Emanuel.
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