Culture
13:53, 18-Jan-2019
The Inspirers: Sumo star offers hope to Japan’s natural disaster victim
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Konishiki Yasokichi was a well-known Hawaii-born sumo champion in Japan. He was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach ōzeki, the second-highest rank in the sport, and also the heaviest wrestler ever.
He came to Japan as a youth and soon rose to the top ranks. He played music and even stared in a children's TV program after his retirement.
But it's his latest role that's caught the attention of the wider public, as he travels around the country providing aid to the victims of Japan's many disasters.
Natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami are part of the lifestyle of Japanese people. Following the 2011 earthquake and nuclear leak in Fukushima, Konishiki launched a project named Konishiki's Kids to help the victims.
On every Christmas, Konishiki delivered gifts to children affected by the disasters. He's inspired volunteers and businesses to join him in the preparations, wrapping, packing, cooking and personal delivery. Together they want the victims to know that they haven't been forgotten and are not just in the news.