Jan Rowan, the mother of Akebono, the first non-Japanese wrestler to reach sumo's highest rank of yokozuna, or grand champion, died Tuesday at Castle Medical Center of respiratory failure, family members announced. She was 60.

Akebono, or Chad Rowan, recalled his mother cheering him on at his first tournament as if he were playing baseball.

"Actually, I was kind of ashamed being in the ring wrestling, when she's out there yelling, 'Come on, Chaddy Boy, you're due for one,' " he said.

"I was proud to have her as my mom."

Akebono, who made his sumo debut in 1988, was forced to retire in 2001 at age 32 because of persistent knee problems. He won 11 titles with his powerful thrusting style and was a favorite among sumo fans.

Jan Rowan also is survived by two other sons, George and Randy; a stepson, Patrick McDougall; hanai son, Keone Garrett; hanai daughter, Windy Pua; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brothers, Nolan Ramirez and Al "Freddy" Torres; sisters, Lorraine Lundberg, Evalani "Nani" Pero, Geraldine Ramirez and Yvonne "Bonnie" Rill; and hanai brother, John Orsini.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Borthwick Mortuary, with a service at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will take place at 2 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park. The family requests aloha attire.