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Takamiyama (Jesse Kuhaulua)
Takimiyama retired in June 1984 with a record of 689-774, took the elder name Azumazeki Oyakata, and opened his own sumo stable in Tokyo. Among his recruits were fellow Hawaiians Konishiki, and eventual Yokozuna, Akebono. During his career, Takamiyama stood 6’4” tall and weighed 452 pounds. Konishiki (Salevaa Atisanoe)
Konishiki retired in 1997 with one of the best records in sumo history, 733-498. At his peak, Konishiki stood 6’ tall and weighed 626 pounds. His weight and girth earned him many nicknames, including “meat bomb,” and “dump truck.” A naturalized Japanese citizen, Konishiki continues to live in Japan where he is a pursuing a singing career and is involved in several charities and humanitarian foundations. Akebono (Chad Rowan)
Akebono went on to win a total of 11 tournaments in his 13 year career, ranking 7th on the all-time list, and compiling a record of 566-198. Akebono retired from Sumo in 2001. At the time of his retirement, Akebono stood 6’8” tall and weighed 514 pounds. Musashimaru (Fiamalu “Fia” Penitani)
Musashimaru has been the consummate champion, suffering only one season with a losing record since his entry into sumo in 1989. His career continues to thrive and he recently won the May basho for his 11th tournament victory, equaling the total previously set by Akebono. As of June of 2002, Musashimaru is in the midst of a major streak, having won three of the last four bashos. Musashimau is 6’3” tall and weighs 509 pounds.
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Jesse
Kuhaulua was born in Happy Valley, Maui, Hawaii in June 1944. In 1964,
at the age of nineteen, Kuhaulua left Hawaii for Tokyo, and became the
first American to enter the world of professional Japanese sumo. In March
of 1964, Kuhaulua made his debut under the name of Takamiyama and began
what would be a twenty year career. In 1968, Takamiyama was promoted to
the Makuuchi division representing the highest level of Japanese sumo.
Before his career was over, Takamiyama achieved the rank of sekiwake,
the third highest in sumo, and established records for most consecutive
tournaments (97) and most consecutive bouts (1425). The highlight of his
career occurred in 1972, when he defeated Champion Ashaikuni to win the
Emperor’s cup and become the first foreign-born sumotori to win
a championship. Upon his victory, a Japanese ambassador read a congratulatory
message from President Richard Nixon, marking the first time that English
words were spoken to a Japanese sumo audience.
Salevaa
Atisanoe was born in Nanakuli, Oahu, Hawaii in 1963. In 1981, at the age
of 18, Atisanoe was spotted by fellow Hawaiian Jesse Kahaulua (Takamiyama)
and was persuaded to move to Tokyo to begin a sumo career under the tutelage
of the American champion. In July of 1982 Atisanoe made his debut under
the name of Konishiki and began what would be a tumultuous, but rewarding
15 year career. Konishiki charged through the junior divisions achieving
the juryo rank in under one year and gaining a promotion to the elite
makuuchi division in less than two years. Less than three years later,
in 1987, Konishiki became the first American ever to achieve the rank
of ozeki (champion). Konishiki continued to compete for another decade,
but despite winning three championships, was never able to achieve the
rank of Yokozuna (Grand Champion). 
Chad
Rowan was born in Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii in May 1969. In the late 1980’s,
Rowan was discovered by a friend of Jesse Kuhaulua. He was initially thought
to be too tall and lanky to make a good sumotori, but in 1988, at the
age of eighteen, Kuhaulua brought Rowan to Tokyo to begin training. Rowan
made his sumo debut under the name Akebono in March 1988. Within two years,
Akebono had reached the top makuuchi division. In May 1992, Akebono won
his first tournament and was promoted to ozeki – equaling Konishiki
as the highest ranked foreign sumotori in history. Akebono went on to
win four of the six 1992 bashos (tournaments) as well as the first basho
of the following year. As a result, In January 1993, after a mere 30 matches,
Akebono attained sumo’s highest rank of Yokozuna and became the
first foreigner and only the sixty-fourth sumotori in history to achieve
the status of grand champion.
Fiamalu
Penitani was born in Somoa in 1971 and moved to Hawaii in 1981 at the
age of ten. In 1989, he was recruited and brought to Japan by former Olympic
gold medal wrestler Date Jiichiro and began training with the Musashigawa
stable. Penitani made his sumo debut under the name Musashimaru in September
1989. In July 1991 Musashimaru was promoted to the professional level
of Juryo. Musashimaru’s career advanced rapidly as he ascended to
the top makuuchi division in November of the same year and by the following
May had achieved the rank of sanyaku. Two years later, in 1994, Musashimaru
became an ozeki. Although Musashimaru went on to set a record for competing
in 52 consecutive bashos without a losing record, he was not able to achieve
the back to back wins necessary to ascend to the rank of Yokozuna (grand
champion) until July 1999. Upon finally accomplishing this feat, Musashimaru
became only the second foreign-born Yokozuna and the sixty-seventh grand
champion in the history of the sport.