[who me]

Taking dives in diapers: did Akebono's fall from grace also claim his marriage?

Sumo wrestler Akebono was once at the pinnacle of his field. The American-born 38-year-old holds the exalted status of being the first ever non-Japanese to attain the status of yokozuna, the highest rank in Japan's ancient and dignified national sport, notes Shukan Bunshun (2/17).

So the sight of sumo's former kingpin dressed as a 2-meter-tall, 200-kilogram-plus baby, complete with pacifier, is for most a tragedy; except for those with fairly specific tastes.

In his post sumo career, "Makebono", as he came to be known ("loser-bono"), made something of a habit of hitting the mat.

"Akebono became a martial arts fighter, but he was a disaster in (the fighting sport of) K-1," a writer on the martial arts beat tells Shukan Bunshun. "Now, he's taking part in exhibition professional wrestling where he plays the part of a baby called Monster Bono."

Akebono has hitched himself up with a troupe called "Hustle." Monster Bono, the baby character he plays for the staged wrestling shows, is supposed to be the child of diminutive model Yingling of JoyToy, another member of the traveling circus.


Shukan Bunshun (2/14)"Akebono is supposed to be a baby when he's sucking on the pacifier. But, when he's attacked, he drops the pacifier out of his mouth and instantly turns into 'the magical world's yokozuna' who fights back fiercely," a fighting world insider says. "I've heard his wife, Christine, is so ashamed of how far he has fallen that she doesn't want their three kids to see him in the ring, and I've heard that they've actually separated."

Akebono's handlers bitterly deny suggestions that he and his wife have split. Nonetheless, it seems for the former yokozuna that there are falls further than the one to the K-1 mat.

"His wife and kids had ringside seats for his K-1 clashes, and the TV used to show them covering their mouths in shock while Akebono was getting pummeled in the ring, but now you never see his family in public," the martial arts writer tells Shukan Bunshun. "'Hustle' only pays a few hundred thousand yen per fight, maybe 1 million yen at most. He must be feeling the pinch financially, too." (By Ryann Connell)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/culture/waiwa...dm010000c.html

[OLmagic]

Originally Posted by who me

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/culture/waiwa...dm010000c.html

This is sad for Akebono.

He accepts to fight , take blows, break his reputation to earn money for his family and his wife leaves with their children... ? She is a ***** .

I hope a happy end for him. He was a great sumo.