The sumo world lost a major figure this week with the death of a man who completely changed the course of Japan’s national sport.

Former ozeki Asahikuni died at age 77 in Tokyo on Tuesday, after a long struggle with diabetes and related complications.

As a wrestler, Asahikuni displayed a fearless doggedness that earned him both the nickname “Piranha” and a series of special prizes in the mid 1970s.