Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, Japan's first foreign-born sumo wrestling grand champion, dead at 54

Tokyo — Hawaii-born Akebono, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of "yokozuna" - or grand champion - in Japan.

"It is with sadness that we announce Akebono Taro died of heart failure earlier this month while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area," the family said in a statement obtained from the office of Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.

Akebono grew up on the rural side of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu and was born Chad Rowan.