Don't stop believing in Sumo champ Akebono

A giant American from the world of Sumo wrestling is shaking things up in Japan - not just with his weight but by his singing.

Hawaiian born former grand Champion of Sumo 'Akebono' has been shocking Japanese TV audiences by performing musical routines on TV. Singing and dancing may seem fairly natural pastimes to us but they are taboo behaviour for Sumo Grand Champions who are revered almost as deities in this the most conservative of Japanese sports.

Akebono became the first foreign wrestler to reach the pinnacle of Sumo Grand Champion before retiring in 2001. Now he no longer needs to ask the austere Sumo association for permission to perform and believes that his TV debut will help increase the sport's popularity overseas.

Many in Japan believe that any kind of undignified performance by a former Sumo champion serves only to cheapen the sport.

During his Sumo career Akebono was famous for his sever facial expression, but now he's a man transformed. In fact the smiling Sumo might be seen as a breath of fresh in a sport that is often considered too sever for its own good.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Akebono
• sumo
• Japan
• Fox
• singing
• video
• News
• Asia

[ngdj999]

I'm not fond of the lame dancing girls behind. But i'm loving the epic sumos. Huzzah.

[TkyoSam]

I don't give a shit about Glee, but Akebono kicks ass and that woman needs to stfu with that shittalk.

[handsomezombie1]

Let the man have fun

[DonFlute22]

LMFAO

[Monkeychild41]

Just when I thought Glee was COMPLETE SHIT, I find out that the Japanese dubbed it...

...I now love the show.

[xblueblaze]

THIS IS GENIUS!

[CAPTAMERICUS]

Nice

[Fab4Sunrises]

He's not a very good singer but I enjoy listening to it. He does a good job anyway and his enthusiasm is great.

[BBoytoshone]

that is so awesome!!!

Go akebono!!! lol

the chicks dancing ... hot... :)

[alyssatsvideos]

Japan is cool!