PhotoGuide Japan Home Akebono Tribute Retirement
Ceremony
Home > PhotoExposure > Akebono Tribute > Retirement | Photo Search | Yokozuna | Ozeki | Stable Visit | About Akebono | Guestbook

What's this? Photo essay with over 70 photos of Yokozuna Akebono's retirement ceremony held on Sept. 29, 2001.
Last modified: May 15, 2004

Story and photos by Philbert Ono

Outside the Kokugikan sumo arena in Ryogoku, Tokyo on the day of Akebono's retirement ceremony on Sept. 29, 2001. People are waiting for the gates to open at 11 am. It was an overcast morning, but later turned sunny in the afternoon.

On Jan. 22, 2001, the day after the New Year's sumo tournament ended in Tokyo, 31-year-old Yokozuna Akebono announced his retirement to end a memorable 13-year career as an active wrestler. Despite a terrific comeback in the past year with two tournament championships (in Nagoya in July 2000 and Fukuoka in Nov. 2000), the nagging effects of painful knee injuries sapped his motivation and made him decide to call it quits.

Akebono's retirement ceremony was held on September 29, 2001 at the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo. They almost canceled it because of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. Fortunately, they decided to go ahead with it despite a significant number of cancellations by spectators and dignitaries. The result was a half-full sumo arena for Akebono's last hurrah. I thought it would be a sell-out crowd despite ticket prices ranging from 11,300 yen to 3,600 yen. The tickets were not sold through regular concert-ticket channels either. You had to call the "Akebono Retirement Ceremony" office and order tickets.

When the gates opened, Akebono and his wife stood outside the arena entrance to greet visitors and shake hands.

At 11 am when the gates to the arena opened, we went in and received free program booklets. Then we saw Akebono standing near the arena entrance greeting everybody. He was towering above a sea of people with his kimono-clad wife at his side. Anybody could go up and shake his hand (I did). Boy, he was big. I was surprised that he had not lost much weight since he retired in January.

<< BACK | Page Top | NEXT >>

Post your comments in my Guestbook!

Home > PhotoExposure > Akebono Tribute > Retirement | Photo Search | Yokozuna | Ozeki | Stable Visit | About Akebono
PhotoGuide Japan is a trademark of Philbert Ono. Contact Us
Photos copyright © 2001 Philbert Ono. All rights reserved.
Transmitting from Tokyo, Japan.