Nanakuli’s Konishiki is still larger than life

TOKYO — The steady clack-clack of sandals on the pavement by a procession of ascending sumotori making their way toward the entrance of the Ryogoku Kokugikan for the day’s matches comes to a sudden halt outside a large white tent festooned with sumo merchandise.

There the sumotori, attired in summer yukata, pause one at a time and bow deferentially toward a long time ago figure, Salevaa Atisanone, now lounging in a portable chair in the shade.

Never mind that the object of their respect on this day is 62 years old and last competed in that arena almost 30 years ago, before most were born.

Konishiki, as the Nanakuli native is still known, now hauls around maybe half of the once sumo record 633 pounds on his 6-foot frame but he is undeniably still a big figure.

To some of the sumotori Konishiki offers an acknowledging nod or words of encouragement. To others, whom he has worked with in pre-tournament practice sessions at the Musashigawa stable operated by Waianae’s Fiamalu Penitani, he issues reminders about their form.

In between he signs autographs and talks sumo with early arriving fans who come to shop the pop-up tent selling the entrepreneur ‘s colorful array of self-designed sumo wear.

After a 15-year career in which he became the first foreigner to ascend to the sport’s second highest rank of ozeki, and helped pry the door open for Waimanalo’s Chad Rowan as Akebono to become the first foreign yokozuna, Konishiki left the sport but not public prominence.

He is well recalled as a pillar for the 1980s-1990s period when Hawaii sumotori — Akebono, Musashimaru and Konishiki — opened a new era in the sport and were celebrated in Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s music.

Between them they hoisted 26 Emperor’s Cups, symbolic of tournament championships and helped draw years of sellout crowds to arenas across Japan to compete with homegrown rivals Takanohana and Wakanohana.

In their footsteps the past quarter century have come Mongolians, Ukrainians and others.

“With (the Hawaii sumotori) it was a special time,” recalls Toshiharu Kyosu, longtime sumo author and historian. “It was nostalgic for a lot of people,” Kyosu said, turning to his wife, Iyoko to pull out and play a prized Iz CD.

Reece Iwami of Kaneohe, who said he grew up watching the exploits of the Hawaii sumotori, has brought his family to meet Konishiki. “So they could see him and sumo up close for themselves.”

Andrew Hawkins of the United Kingdom said he has come to meet the man he calls, “a true legend. He is even more imposing than I thought,” Hawkins said.

Some of Konishiki’s youngest fans know of him not from sumo but from his role on children’s programming by Japan’s public network, NHK, He was “Koni-chan” on “Nihongo de Asobo” (Let’s Play Japanese) and “Eigo de Asobo” (Let’s Play English). He’s also done stints as a radio deejay.

When their competitive careers ended, Konishiki, Musashimaru and Akebono took disparate paths keeping them in Japan.

“They each (branched) off to the areas that suited them,” said the 81-year old Jesse Kuhaulua of Maui, who preceded them as the ground-breaking Takamiyama and recruited Konishiki and Akebono to sumo and coached them.

“Konishiki is a very talented entertainer and businessman and that’s where he has continued to make his mark,” Kuhaulua said. “He is a very busy guy with all the things (tours, concerts etc.) and things he has going on.”

Kuhaulua said, “Musashimaru saw his future staying in sumo and it is good to see him training a lot of young guys. He has a good tough style.”

The 55-year-old Musashimaru used his retirement and severance bonuses from the Sumo Association to eventually open his own stable, where he has more than a dozen trainees in the lower ranks with a goal of producing his first top division sumotori.

One of them, his 20-year old nephew, Daniel Ailua, competed as Hikarimusashi in the Jonidan division this tournament.

Akebono made a second career in mixed martial arts and pro wrestling until his death in 2024.

Ask Konishiki what he considers the biggest accomplishment of his post-sumo career and he firmly says, “Still being alive.”

To that he gives credit to his wife, Chie, for the kidney she donated in a 2024 transplant after he had been diagnosed with severe kidney failure.

It came seven years after Musashimaru had undergone a transplant courtesy of his wife, Masami.

Konishiki says, “Thankfully, we’re both still (plugging) along, trying to make the most of this life. You never know where it is gonna take you ‘bro.

“I mean, look at where we are.”