is a retired sumo wreslter.......

From Kakuto....

http://www.kakuto.com/FIGHTER_S_PHOTOS/SappvsAkebono.jpg

Sumo Akebono in K1!(Props to Yuki and pic from Sportsnavi)

Akebono said, "I want to fight again!" He nominates Sapp.
The dream card will realize in New Year's Eve!

The 64th Yokozuna, Akebono(34) = his real name, Taro Akebono from Hawaii, USA = retired Japan Sumo association in 5th November. It is decided suddenly that he will fight in K-1. He will come out in "K-1 Premiumstage Dynamite!" which will be held in 31th December to fight against Bob Sapp (USA) under the K-1 special rule. The event is likely tobe held at Nagoya.

ghey

I hope no one throws a doughnut in the ring

Would make the fight more interesting......

yeah they could have a ladder match but instead of a belt they could hang a smoked ham up there

Riiiiight.

$5 says the Sumo knocks Sapp down atleast once.....

i want to see these guys go belly to belly sumo style. I wonder if they'll wear a diaper?

Originally posted by Curly Howard
I hope no one throws a doughnut in the ring


ahahahahahah

They do not want to put him against a real fighter because he will get his ass kicked
They are trying to keep the spectacle of Bob Sapp alive

I can't believe K-1 actually stooped to this level. Horrible.

hey they signed tyson

I'd rather see Tyson fight Sapp than this random Sumo guy. This is ridiculous.

that is ghey period.

Truly sad.

Tokyo- Former sumo grand champion Akebono said Thursday he has formally quit the sumo world and will launch a new career in Japan's K-1, a brutal sport that combines elements of karate, kickboxing and taekwondo.

Akebono, a Hawaii native and the first foreigner ever to reach sumo's highest rank, had retired fron the ring in 2001 but remained a senior member of the association.

The soft-spoken 34 year old tendered his resignation to sumo's governing body on Wednesday. He said he decided to come out of retirement for his three children, who were too young to witness his peak as a dominant "yokozuna" or grand champion.

"My kids probably dont remember seeing their father in sumo. I wanted them to see their father fight," he told a press conference televised live by several broadcasters. " I couldnt suppress my feeling of wanting to return to fight".

Akebono said he would take on fromer NFL lineman Bob Sapp, nicknamed "The Beast," in his debut K-1 match on Dec. 31.

Under an agreement with the K-1 organization that promtoes fights for eight matches in Japan, Akebono might also face ex-heavywight boxing champion Mike Tyson, said K-1 producer Sadharu Tanigaki. Tyson signed a K-1 contract in August.

Akebono, born Chad George Rowan, was 18 when he arrived in Japan to become a sumo wrestler in 1988. He changed his name to Taro Akebono after switching his American citizenship to Japanese.

Forced to retire from sumo due to persistent knee problems, the 6 foot 9, 484 pound Akebono had overcome considerable concerns about whether a foreigner should be allowed to hold the coveted title of yokozuna.

Five years after his debut in the professional ranks, Akebono was promoted to yokozuna in 1993. The title is more than a sports acheivement- it is considered a mark of honor, and the behavior of its holders are held up to very high standards.

But he proved himself more than worthy, winning 11 career titles. Two other foreign-born wrestlers have since made the highest rank- Hawaii's Mushashimaru, and Asashoryu, of Mongolia.

Akebono sought to downpaly speculation that he might be hobbled by his weight and possible injuries in K-1, as he was at the twilight of his sumo career.

K-1 is wildly popular in Japan, where bouts are regularly staged before crowds of up to 70,000. The sport has held events in the United States and is seeking expansion there.

Taken fron Kenji Hall, associated press writer, West Hawaii Today.