Two rikishi from Hawaii pioneered sumo's internationalization. We zoom in on legends Takamiyama, the first foreign rikishi to win a top-division tournament, and Konishiki, the first foreign Ozeki.

and wrestles under the pseudonym of Takamiyama (“High-View Mountain”). He is the first foreigner with no Japanese blood to be promoted to makuuchi—sumo’s big leagues. In all Japan ...

With sumo wrestlers unable to engage in regular ... Hawaiian Azumazeki, who is also known as sekiwake Takamiyama, is famed for being he first stable head of non-Japanese origin.

In January 2001, a hobbled Akebono retired from the sport, ending a golden decade for sumo. Akebono was often described as “having the strength of Konishiki and the heart of Takamiyama." ...

We follow the epic lives of sumo legends who made it from humble beginnings in Hawaii, to becoming the first foreigners to rise to the highest ranks in sumo. Starting with Takamiyama who paved the ...