A funeral service for sumo great Akebono Taro was held in Tokyo on April 14.

The Hawaii-born former yokozuna died of heart failure earlier this month at age 54.

In 1993, Akebono became the first foreign-born sumo wrestler to attain the sport's highest rank of grand champion.

He helped raise the popularity of sumo in the 1990s along with rivals like Japanese yokozuna brothers Wakanohana and Takanohana.

After retiring from sumo in 2001, he competed in sports such as kickboxing and professional wrestling.

Members of the sumo and pro wrestling communities were among celebrities who attended his funeral.