Akebono's New Japanese Name

[AKJake@aol.com]

The following is (not-so) fresh off the newswires:


Akebono to adopt name Taro Roen when turning Japanese
TOKYO, Aug. 29 (Kyodo) -- Hawaiian-born Yokozuna Akebono, whose real name is
Chad Rowan, will assume the Japanese name of Taro Roen when taking up
Japanese nationality.

The 26-year-old Azumazeki Stable wrestler, who applied for Japanese
citizenship last June, said the family name Roen is a play on Rowan, and Taro
comes from part of Akebono's sumo name.

The Chinese characters of Roen symbolize a coconut garden.

''I wanted to leave part of my real name in some way, and I like this
Hawaiian-sounding Japanese name,'' Akebono said.

The process of naturalization is expected to take one year.

Akebono applied for Japanese citizenship because under Japan Sumo Association
rules only Japanese nationals can become an ''oyakata'' or a sumo elder, a
necessary step to own a sumo stable.

AP-NY-08-29-95 0640EDT