He was born in Hawaii and was part of the great rikishi class of 1988. On January 27, 1993, Akebono became the first non-Japanese wrestler ever to reach yokozuna, the highest rank in Sumo.
He retired after winnning 11 championships and became Akebono oyakata (trainer/parent) at the Azumazeki stable. In 2003, he retired from sumo entirely and is currently a K-1 wrestler in Japan.