Sumo star Konishiki, the Hawaiian-born wrestler who became the Japanese sport's first foreign champion, ended his 15-year career Saturday after a long struggle with injuries.
Konishiki, born Salevaa Atisanoe, handed in his resignation to sumo officials, who then canceled his remaining bouts in this weekend's Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, Sumo Association spokesman Ayako Suzuki said."I'd like to thank everybody for all these 15 years," the 612-pound Konishiki told reporters Saturday. "It's because of your support that I was able to last this long."
Konishiki's retirement was not unexpected. He has been hobbled by chronic problems with his knees and lower legs, and had long been rumored ready to quit.
Konishiki's career peaked in 1987 when he became the first foreign wrestler to reach the rank of ozeki, or champion, sumo's second highest rank. The sport's heaviest wrestler, he became a Japanese citizen in 1994.
"When I first met him, I wasn't expecting him to become a ranking sumo wrestler so quickly," former wrestler Azumazeki, also Hawaiian-born, told national broadcaster NHK. "It didn't surprise me, but I think he really worked hard."