Early Life
He was born in Fukushima, a town in the Matsumae District of HokkaidÅ, northern Japan. He was a son of a fisherman. At school he excelled in athletics events, particularly running. He was scouted at the age of 15 by the Kokonoe stable's head Chiyonoyama, who had served as the 41st yokozuna and was from the same Fukushima town. Chiyonoyama promised him a trip to Tokyo in an airplane, which excited the young Akimoto as he had never flown before. At the time of his debut he weighed just 71 kg (160 lb). In 1977, Chiyonoyama died, and Kitanofuji, the 52nd yokozuna also from HokkaidÅ, took over the stable.
Read more about this topic: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
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