Posted on: Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Rowan now sumo security official

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Security has never been as big at a sumo tournament.

Of course, never have the ranks of the arena security detail included 6-foot-8, 516-pound Chad Rowan, either.

Six weeks after retiring from the competitive portion of his sumo career, the man known as Akebono begins his post-ring life as a security official this weekend at the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka, Japan, where he won the championship in his last match a year ago.

Shorn of his requisite top knot and having hung up his mawashi, the Waimanalo native will be in slacks and a blue Japan Sumo Association jacket when the tournament opens at the Fukuoka International Center Saturday night (Hawai'i time).

"It's a new life now," the former yokozuna said from Fukuoka. "I'm getting used to it. I have to, it's my job now."

Since his retirement from competition, sumo's first foreign grand champion has entered the ranks of the ruling sumo association. For the moment, his duties primarily consist of working with the security detail although his notoriety may dictate how active a role he is able to play.

When another island-born sumotori, Konishiki, retired in 1997, he, too, was initially assigned to security. But, because of his popularity, his appearances in the stands and aisles were said to have made more work for the detail.

Rowan will get a steady assignment in January that could include being a ring judge or running the press club, his stablemaster, Jesse Kuhaulua, said.

Because Rowan held sumo's highest rank of yokozuna, he may stay in the association and draw a salary for up to five years before having to either sever ties or purchase stock. Wrestlers below the rank of yokozuna must secure stock — which can cost upwards of $1 million — by their retirement in order to stay in the association. Retirement is mandatory at age 65.

Rowan said he currently isn't planning to stay in the association for the full five-year period, but hasn't decided when he might leave or what he would do.

Along with his duties for the association, Rowan will also coach at the stable he wrestled for, Azumazeki. He is working with its two brightest prospects, Takamisakari, a No. 12 juryo division performer, and Ushiomaru, who is at the top of makushita.