HAWAIIAN-BORN SUMO WRESTLER AKEBONO, JAPAN'S FIRST FOREIGN-BORN YOKOZUNA, INDICATED THAT HE WILL ..., 2001-01-22 (photo)

HAWAIIAN-BORN SUMO WRESTLER AKEBONO, JAPAN'S FIRST FOREIGN-BORN YOKOZUNA, INDICATED THAT HE WILL RETIRE FROM THE RING. Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler Akebono, Japan's first foreign-born yokozuna or sumo grand champion, seen performing a sacred ring-entering ritual at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, indicated to the Japan Sumo Association January 22, 2001 that he will retire from the ring, reports said. Akebono had been sidelined from the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament which ended January 21, 2001, and numerous times throughout his career with injury problems. The yokozuna is expected to give a news conference later in the day. Picture taken 6JAN00.