Akebono's sport is SUMO, a traditional Japanese form of wrestling. Akebono was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the highest rank in the sport. SUMO is a full-contact sport where two wrestlers attempt to force each other out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet. It is considered a national sport in Japan and is also popular in other parts of the world.