Yokozuna Akebono retirement ceremony

ByPhilbert Ono

Oct 11, 2001

Konishiki was one of 300+ people who snipped off Akebono's topknot on September 29, 2001. — Konishiki was one of 300+ people who snipped off Akebono’s topknot on September 29, 2001.

Akebono Tribute Contents

Azumazeki Stable
Ozeki Promotion
Yokozuna Promotion
Retirement Ceremony: Greetings | Merch | Makushita/Juryo | Rope belt | Final Dohyo-iri | Demos | Topknot cutting | Final cut | Makunouchi

After 13 years in sumo, Akebono retires and holds his retirement ceremony in the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo on September 29, 2001. *This article first published in 2001, updated in May 2023.

On January 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 (July 2000 in Nagoya and Nov. 2000 in Fukuoka), 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 9-11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. earlier in the month. 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 to ¥3,600. The tickets were not sold through regular concert-ticket channels either. You had to call the “Akebono Retirement Ceremony” office and order tickets.

Outside the Kokugikan sumo arena in Ryogoku, Tokyo on the day of Akebono's retirement ceremony — 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.

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 Christine 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.