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Konishiki's Real Name: Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e
history
Konishiki (小錦八十吉) 本名: Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e (サレバ・アティサノエ)
Answer: Konishiki's real name is Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e. The Hawaiian-born wrestler of Samoan descent became the first foreign-born ōzeki in 1987.
Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e was born on December 31, 1963, in Nānākuli, Hawaii, to a Samoan family. He was recruited by Takamiyama of Takasago stable and debuted in 1982. His shikona, 小錦 (Konishiki), revived a historic name used in Takasago stable.
Konishiki was one of the heaviest wrestlers in sumo history, at times weighing about 280 kg. In 1987 he became the first foreign-born wrestler promoted to ōzeki, sumo's second-highest rank. He won three top-division titles, but was never promoted to yokozuna, which caused public debate in Japan.
He retired in 1997, became a Japanese citizen, and built a career as a TV personality and musician, nicknamed "the Dump Truck."
FAQ
Was Konishiki ever a yokozuna? No. He reached ōzeki, the second-highest rank, the first foreign-born wrestler to do so.
Where is Konishiki from? Nānākuli, Hawaii; he is of Samoan descent.