Konishiki to spread the word
Retired wrestler wants to help sumo grow
Posted: Monday September 28, 1998 12:31 PM
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Konishiki plans to contribute to sumo even in retirement Chris Cole/Allsport |
TOKYO (AP) -- Retired Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler Konishiki vowed Monday to continue to be "a bridge" with the world in helping spread understanding for the traditional Japanese sport.
With his unpretentious vivacious personality, Konishiki remains one of Japan's most loved former athletes, appearing often in TV ads and talk shows even after his retirement from active wrestling last November.
On Sunday, Konishiki, 34, whose real name is Salevaa Atisanoe, handed in his resignation to the Japan Sumo Association, the sport's ruling body, ending his job as an "oyakata" coach for young wrestlers, under the name Sanoyama.
"I have learned so much from the Japan's national sport of sumo," said Konishiki, who weighs more than 260 kilograms (580 pounds). "For someone who has devoted his entire life to sumo, this decision was far from easy."
His resignation from the rigidly run association is likely to give him more leeway in the types of entertainment projects he can tackle, as well as more time away from a heavy scheduling of tours and coaching.
A talented crooner, Konishiki has said he is thinking about putting out a CD recording of songs from around the world. Konishiki also has been a frequent commentator on the TV broadcast of sumo tournaments aired in Hawaii.
At a news conference Monday, he announced he will now work out of the production company he set up last year called KP, which stands for Konishiki Power.
Konishiki said the main reason for his resignation was that he wanted more time to visit his sick mother in Hawaii, as well as for the charity work that he has pursued for many years.
"From now on, I plan to do all I can to spread to the world the wonders of sumo, which helped me to grow, so that I can be a bridge," he said.
Konishiki, who became a Japanese citizen in 1994, has always spoken of his love for sumo.
But he has also acknowledged the hardships he endured trying to adapt to the rigorous, tradition-bound world of sumo -- a combat sport in which opponents face off in a dirt ring and slam into each other, with most bouts lasting a few seconds.
Konishiki rose to the second-highest rank of "ozeki," or champion, but never was promoted to "yokozuna," the top rank.
At that time, there was much speculation that he was not promoted because he was foreign-born.
Hawaiian-born Akebono, formerly Chad Rowan, was promoted to yokozuna, however, and his wedding next month will be carried on national TV.
"Not only was I able to realize my own dream but I was also able to carry out the dreams of my family," Konishiki said. "I am deeply grateful."
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