Former sumo grand champion Taiho died of heart disease on Saturday, January 19, 2013. He was 72. Born on the island of Sakhalin to an Ukrainian father and a Japanese mother, Taiho was promoted to Yokozuna grand champion in 1961 along with his rival Kashiwado.
Their rivalry during the 60s became known as "Hakuho era", an epoch-making stage in the history of Japan's national sport.
Taiho(大鵬）
Taiho's rival Kashiwado (柏戸)
