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JSA rewards Akebono
with ¥100 million

TOKYO, Jan. 29 (Kyodo) -- The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) on Monday rewarded former yokozuna Akebono with 100 million yen (about $855,000 at current exchange rates) for his distinguished contribution to the sport, JSA officials said.

Akebono, who submitted his retirement notice to the JSA last week, said he was "grateful for the recognition that I have received" after attending a sumo elder's deliberation council at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Hawaiian-born Akebono, sumo's first foreign-born grand champion, won the Emperor's Cup 11 times in his career, putting him seventh on the list of all-time tournament champions.

Plagued by knee injuries, Akebono, who sat out the just-concluded New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, retired after completing his most successful 12-month stint in seven years, leading the field in 2000 with 76 wins and a pair of championships.

He is only the second wrestler since Chiyonofuji, the former yokozuna who retired in May 1991, to be awarded 100 million yen for his contribution to the sport of sumo wrestling.

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Kyodo News Service