Takamiyama was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to win a top-division sumo tournament.
Born Jesse Kuhaulua in Hawaii, Takamiyama joined professional sumo in 1964 and made his top-division debut in 1968. He won the July 1972 Nagoya tournament with a 13–2 record, becoming the first foreign-born wrestler to capture a championship in sumo’s makuuchi division.
His victory was historically important because professional sumo had been dominated by Japanese wrestlers, while foreign recruitment was still relatively uncommon. Takamiyama remained in the top division for many years and became known for his distinctive orange skin tone and powerful style.
He later established the Azumazeki stable and trained Akebono, who became the first foreign-born yokozuna. Takamiyama’s championship therefore marked both a personal achievement and an early milestone in sumo’s international development.