Shiro Koshinaka (越中 詩郎, Koshinaka Shirō; born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed…
Shiro Koshinaka (越中 詩郎, Koshinaka Shirō; born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Japanese people database × places of origin
Famous Japanese People: Wrestler
Wrestler: 563 people
Satoru Sayama (佐山 聡, Sayama Satoru; born November 27, 1957), best known as the original Tiger Mask, is a Japanese…
Satoru Sayama (佐山 聡, Sayama Satoru; born November 27, 1957), best known as the original Tiger Mask, is a Japanese writer, retired professional wrestler, martial artist, mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling promoter, and trainer. He is the founder of Shooto, a pre-Ultimate Fighting Championship MMA promotion, and is widely considered to be one of the most influential masked Japanese wrestlers of all time (alongside his contemporaries Jushin Thunder Liger and Último Dragón). The only man to hold the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship simultaneously, Sayama became widely known in the wrestling world for his all-round prowess of high-flying, technical abilities, and martial combat skills (as he was a practitioner of judo and freestyle wrestling in his youth). Primarily trained under New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) founder Antonio Inoki and his mentor Karl Gotch, Sayama made his professional wrestling debut in 1976 at 18 years old. He was sent on an excursion to Europe for World of Sport Wrestling and Mexico for Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre, where he not only found his ground as a technical wrestler, but also found his niche in Lucha libre. Sayama became Tiger Mask in 1981, brought from Ikki Kajiwara's 1968 manga series of the same name and the popular anime of the decade. He became involved in highly publicized feuds with Black Tiger (portrayed by Mark Rocco), Dynamite Kid, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara, who was one of Sayama's own trainers. He left NJPW at the height of his popularity in 1983 due to political disenfranchisement, and later became a founding member of the UWF brand in Japan. He then became dissatisfied with wrestling as a whole, leading him to write Kay Fabe (1985), which detailed the kayfabe and secrets of puroresu at the time. After declaring retirement from professional wrestling in 1985 after the collapse of UWF, he founded Shooto, one of the first MMA organizations in the world. Sayama also started mixed martial arts training and developed his own Shooto syllabus for learning what could be considered the first put together MMA training of its kind, with a focus on striking from arts like boxing, muay thai, and karate, and grappling from wrestling, judo, and sambo. The curriculum would help produce the first well rounded fighters of MMA several years before the first UFC event. While on Shooto, Sayama promoted the Vale Tudo Japan events, more rules free events inspired by Brazilian Vale Tudo and early UFC, helping to popularize MMA in Japan. He retired from his post in Shooto in 1996, and returned to professional wrestling soon after. In 2005, Sayama founded his own promotion, Real Japan Pro-Wrestling (RJPW), which later became Strong Style Pro-Wrestling. Sayama likened the promotion to include wrestlers from the past, as well as martial artists, Sayama's students, and modern stars from the likes of Battlarts, Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJPW), and more. Although he hasn't officially declared retirement, Sayama last wrestled on December 7, 2016. It was announced in 2020 that he had several health problems, which linked him to Parkinson's disease and immobility.
📅 Born November 27🎂 Born 1957📍 From Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture💼 Wrestler💼 Mixed Martial Artist
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Naoko Satō (佐藤尚子, Satō Naoko; October 30, 1957 – August 9, 1999), better known as Jackie Sato (ジャッキー佐藤, Jakkī Satō)…
Naoko Satō (佐藤尚子, Satō Naoko; October 30, 1957 – August 9, 1999), better known as Jackie Sato (ジャッキー佐藤, Jakkī Satō), was a Japanese professional wrestler. In the 1970s, while wrestling for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), she formed the tag team, the Beauty Pair, with Maki Ueda. Following in the steps of Mach Fumiake, the Beauty Pair was part of an important shift in the culture of Japanese women's wrestling, attracting more female fans by becoming pop icons. In their mainstream success, Satō and Ueda led to the Crush Gals of the 1980s.
Atsushi Onita (大仁田 厚, Ōnita Atsushi; born October 25, 1957) is a Japanese actor, politician, and semi-retired…
Atsushi Onita (大仁田 厚, Ōnita Atsushi; born October 25, 1957) is a Japanese actor, politician, and semi-retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and is credited with introducing the deathmatch style of professional wrestling to Japan. He is a former 7-time FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion and 3-time All Asia Tag Team Champion alongside partners Masanobu Fuchi, Yoshitatsu, and Toy Kojima. Onita founded FMW in 1989, defeating martial artist Masashi Aoyagi under his own martial arts rules in the main event of the second night of the promotion's inaugural event. FMW later emerged as a full-fledged touring organization, moving away from martial arts-inspired shoot style matches and moving toward the rasslin'-inspired deathmatch style – which became popular with Japanese fans. He was the promotion's top star, wrestling in main event matches at sold-out events, making FMW a financially successful company, particularly for a Japanese independent promotion. Onita sold FMW to Shoichi Arai and retired from wrestling in 1995 to pursue an acting career, which was unsuccessful, forcing him to return as a wrestler in 1996. After returning to FMW, he led stables ZEN and Team Zero but departed the company in 1998 after disagreements over his position in the company. He held the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship a record seven times and headlined the first six editions of FMW's premier Anniversary Show event from 1989 to 1995.
Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a…
Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a former Japanese sumo wrestler and professional wrestler best known for his time in the Japanese promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional…
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
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Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru…
Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru Sonoda (ハル 薗田) and Magic Dragon (マジック・ドラゴン, Majikku Doragon), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was a former NWA Western States Tag Team Champion, NWA/WWC North American Tag Team Champion with Mitsu Ishikawa and the WCCW All Asia Tag Team Championship with the Great Kabuki in 1982.
Yoshiaki Yatsu (谷津嘉章 Yatsu Yoshiaki, born July 19, 1956) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and amateur…
Yoshiaki Yatsu (谷津嘉章 Yatsu Yoshiaki, born July 19, 1956) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is known for being one-half of the first-ever All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Champions with Jumbo Tsuruta, having won the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the PWF Tag Team Championship, and unifying the two titles.
Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊, Gotō Tatsutoshi; born May 25, 1956) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily…
Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊, Gotō Tatsutoshi; born May 25, 1956) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and briefly used the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as part of the nWo Japan.
🎓 Meijo University🏫 Meijo University Affiliated High School📅 Born May 25🎂 Born 1956📍 From Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture💼 Wrestler
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Norio Honaga (保永 昇男, Honaga Norio) (born August 11, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and referee.
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Masanobu Fuchi (渕 正信, Fuchi Masanobu; born January 14, 1954) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to All Japan…
Masanobu Fuchi (渕 正信, Fuchi Masanobu; born January 14, 1954) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is also a director and the co-head booker. Fuchi has exclusively worked for All Japan since his debut in 1974, and holds the record for the longest World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign at 1,309 days. Fuchi became a freelancer in 2009, but officially re-signed with AJPW in 2013 as both a director and wrestler, making him the longest tenured member of the All Japan roster.
Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰巳, Fujinami Tatsumi; ring name: 藤波 辰爾) (born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional…
Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰巳, Fujinami Tatsumi; ring name: 藤波 辰爾) (born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his long tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and four-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He is also the owner and founder of the Dradition wrestling promotion. Known for his fluid catch wrestling submission style, Fujinami is nicknamed "The Dragon"; he is credited with inventing moves such as the dragon sleeper and the dragon suplex. Other championships held by Fujinami include the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) International Heavyweight Champion. He is an inductee of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, and WWE Hall of Fame. Bret Hart said of Fujinami: "I always wanted to be the great wrestler that Tatsumi Fujinami was."
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Seiei Kimura (木村 聖裔, Kimura Seiei; born September 4, 1953) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known…
Seiei Kimura (木村 聖裔, Kimura Seiei; born September 4, 1953) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Kengo Kimura (木村 健悟, Kimura Kengo) and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
📅 Born September 4🎂 Born 1953📍 From Niihama, Ehime Prefecture💼 Politician・Legislator💼 Wrestler💼 Sumo💼 Singer・Vocalist
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former…
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former professional wrestler and sumo wrestler from Fujishima, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
🎓 Nihon University🏫 Sakata Minami High School📅 Born February 5🎂 Born 1953📍 From Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture💼 Wrestler💼 Sumo
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Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951)…
Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951), better known by his ring name Riki Choshu (長州 力, Chōshū Riki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, who is best known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as both a performer and a booker. He is considered one of Japan’s most influential wrestlers for his work in the 1980s and 1990s and is known as the first wrestler to popularize the Sasori-Gatame, better known in English as the Scorpion Deathlock or Sharpshooter. A second-generation Zainichi Korean from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Choshu won titles in Freestyle wrestling at the National Sports Festival of Japan, before (under his birth name) representing South Korea at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He also won collegiate titles in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling as captain of the Senshu University team. He made his professional wrestling debut for NJPW in 1974, becoming a major star as a heel during the following decade. After leaving NJPW in 2002, he formed Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (WJ), but eventually returned to New Japan in October 2005 as a site foreman, booker and part-time wrestler. Choshu once again left NJPW in 2010 and primarily worked in Tatsumi Fujinami’s Dradition, as well as his own self-produced Power Hall events as a freelancer.
🎓 Senshu University🏫 Sakuragaoka High School📅 Born December 3🎂 Born 1951📍 From 周南市（旧・徳山市）, Yamaguchi Prefecture💼 Wrestler💼 Youtuber
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Tomomi "Tommy" Tsuruta (鶴田 友美, Tsuruta Tomomi; March 25, 1951 – May 12, 2000), better known by his ring name Jumbo…
Tomomi "Tommy" Tsuruta (鶴田 友美, Tsuruta Tomomi; March 25, 1951 – May 12, 2000), better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta (ジャンボ鶴田, Janbo Tsuruta), was a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) for most of his career, and is well known for being the first ever Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National Championship, and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship, and unifying the three titles. He is also known for being one-half of the first World Tag Team Champions with Yoshiaki Yatsu, having won the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the PWF Tag Team Championship, and unifying the two titles.
🎓 University of Tsukuba🏫 Hikawa High School📅 Born March 25🎂 Born 1951📍 From YamanashiPrefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture💼 Wrestler💼 Researcher
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Tetsuo Sekigawa (関川 哲夫, Sekigawa Tetsuo; February 5, 1951 – June 23, 2017) was a Japanese professional wrestler best…
Tetsuo Sekigawa (関川 哲夫, Sekigawa Tetsuo; February 5, 1951 – June 23, 2017) was a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his work under the ring name Mr. Pogo (ミスター・ポーゴ, Misutā Pōgo). He helped popularize hardcore wrestling in the 1990s with "death matches" in promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, W*ING and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hiroaki Hamada (浜田 広秋, Hamada Hiroaki), better known by his ring name Gran Hamada (グラン浜田, Guran Hamada; November 27…
Hiroaki Hamada (浜田 広秋, Hamada Hiroaki), better known by his ring name Gran Hamada (グラン浜田, Guran Hamada; November 27, 1950 – February 15, 2025), was a Japanese professional wrestler, the first to adopt the high-flying Mexican lucha libre style. He wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan Pro Wrestling and was the founder of Universal Lucha Libre. He also had stints with the World Wrestling Federation and Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States. His daughters Xóchitl Hamada and Ayako Hamada are professional Japanese-Mexican wrestlers.
Genichiro Shimada (嶋田 源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichirō; born February 2, 1950), better known as Genichiro Tenryu (天龍 源一郎, Tenryū…
Genichiro Shimada (嶋田 源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichirō; born February 2, 1950), better known as Genichiro Tenryu (天龍 源一郎, Tenryū Gen'ichirō) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his shikona. He had two stints with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he spent the majority of his career while also promoting Super World of Sports (SWS), Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Tenryu Project. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. At the time of his retirement, professional wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer wrote that "one could make a strong case [that Tenryu was] between the fourth and sixth biggest native star" in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.
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Yoshiaki Fujiwara (藤原 喜明, Fujiwara Yoshiaki; April 27, 1949) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trainer and wrestling…
Yoshiaki Fujiwara (藤原 喜明, Fujiwara Yoshiaki; April 27, 1949) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trainer and wrestling promoter. He is famous for his long career in wrestling, having worked in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (ZERO-ONE), and the two incarnations of shoot style promotion Universal Wrestling Federation. Fujiwara is known for his catch wrestling expertise, having been praised by fighters like Josh Barnett and Ken Shamrock. He was trained by Karl Gotch and has trained many MMA fighters and professional wrestlers. Fujiwara also has a strong background in Judo and Muay Thai.
Sueo Inoue (April 12, 1949 – November 27, 2024), better known by the ring names Mighty Inoue (Japanese: マイティ井上) and All…
Sueo Inoue (April 12, 1949 – November 27, 2024), better known by the ring names Mighty Inoue (Japanese: マイティ井上) and All Mighty Inoue, was a Japanese professional wrestler and referee. He is best known for his appearances with International Wrestling Enterprise from 1967 to 1981, with All Japan Pro-Wrestling from 1981 to 2000, and with Pro Wrestling Noah from 2000 to 2010 as a referee.
🎓 Osaka Gakuin University🏫 Osaka Gakuin University High School📅 Born April 12🎂 Born 1949📍 From Osaka, Osaka Prefecture💼 Wrestler
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Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The…
Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The Dragonmaster, and as the Japanese version of Kendo Nagasaki (ケンドー・ナガサキ, Kendō Nagasaki), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was best known for his work in Stampede Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling. Sakurada was also highly regarded by Bret Hart as one of his most significant trainers alongside Katsui Adachi or Mr. Hito, with whom he taught extensively in Hart Dungeon.
Mitsuo Momota (百田 光雄, Momota Mitsuo) (born September 21, 1948) is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler and…
Mitsuo Momota (百田 光雄, Momota Mitsuo) (born September 21, 1948) is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler and executive, known for his work in the Japanese promotions All Japan Pro Wrestling and later in Pro Wrestling NOAH. He is the son of wrestler Rikidōzan.
Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto…
Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto Kabuki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is famous as the first to blow Asian mist in his opponents' faces.
Masanori Toguchi (戸口 正徳, Toguchi Masanori), born Pyo Jeong-deok (Korean: 표정덕; Hanja: 表正德; February 7, 1948), is a…
Masanori Toguchi (戸口 正徳, Toguchi Masanori), born Pyo Jeong-deok (Korean: 표정덕; Hanja: 表正德; February 7, 1948), is a retired Zainichi Korean professional wrestler best known by his ring name Kim Duk (Japanese: キム・ドク, Hepburn: Kimu Doku). He was also known by the name Tiger Chung Lee in the World Wrestling Federation.
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Hiroshi Wajima (Japanese: 輪島大士, Hepburn: Wajima Hiroshi; 11 January 1948 – 8 October 2018) was a Japanese sumo and…
Hiroshi Wajima (Japanese: 輪島大士, Hepburn: Wajima Hiroshi; 11 January 1948 – 8 October 2018) was a Japanese sumo and professional wrestler. Born in Nanao, Ishikawa, he was the sport's 54th yokozuna and is the first wrestler with a collegiate background to reach its highest rank. Entering professional sumo in January 1970, he won a total of 14 tournament championships or yūshō during his career before retiring in March 1981. He was nicknamed "Golden Left" (黄金の左, Ōgon no Hidari) in reference to his trademark gold mawashi and his preferred technique of a left-handed underarm throw. He was later head coach of Hanakago stable, but after several controversies, Wajima was forced to leave the sumo world and turned to professional wrestling, retiring in 1988.
🎓 Nihon University🏫 Kanazawa High School📅 Born January 11🎂 Born 1948📍 From Nanao, Ishikawa💼 Sumo💼 Wrestler💼 TV Personality
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Heigo Hamaguchi (濱口 平吾, Hamaguchi Heigo; born August 31, 1947) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, better…
Heigo Hamaguchi (濱口 平吾, Hamaguchi Heigo; born August 31, 1947) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Animal Hamaguchi (アニマル浜口, Animaru Hamaguchi). During his career he was recognized as a talented tag team wrestler despite his relatively small size for a heavyweight, and today he is recognized as a trainer in both professional and amateur wrestling. He is the father of freestyle wrestler Kyoko Hamaguchi.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Tomotsugu Kutsuwada (轡田 友継, Kutsuwada Tomotsugu; May 1, 1947 – October 12, 2004) was a Japanese professional wrestler…
Tomotsugu Kutsuwada (轡田 友継, Kutsuwada Tomotsugu; May 1, 1947 – October 12, 2004) was a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Samson Kutsuwada (サムソン・クツワダ, Samuson Kutsuwada).
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Masashi Ozawa (小沢 正志, Ozawa Masashi; March 6, 1947 – December 29, 2023) was a Japanese professional wrestler. Popularly…
Masashi Ozawa (小沢 正志, Ozawa Masashi; March 6, 1947 – December 29, 2023) was a Japanese professional wrestler. Popularly known as Killer Khan, he was billed from Mongolia and had numerous high-profile matches with André the Giant in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s, including a high-profile "Mongolian stretcher match". Khan used Asian mist against opponents.
Susumu Hara (原 進, Hara Susumu) (January 8, 1947 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional…
Susumu Hara (原 進, Hara Susumu) (January 8, 1947 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ashura Hara (阿修羅・原).
Yoshihiro Momota (百田 義浩, Momota Yoshihiro) (March 15, 1946 – November 22, 2000) was a professional wrestler and a…
Yoshihiro Momota (百田 義浩, Momota Yoshihiro) (March 15, 1946 – November 22, 2000) was a professional wrestler and a former ring announcer, known for his tenure in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was the son of wrestler Rikidozan and the older brother of Mitsuo Momota.
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Masanori Saito (斎藤 昌典, Saitō Masanori; August 7, 1942 – July 14, 2018) was a Japanese professional wrestler, better…
Masanori Saito (斎藤 昌典, Saitō Masanori; August 7, 1942 – July 14, 2018) was a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Mr. Saito or Masa Saito (マサ斎藤). He wrestled for 33 years around the world. He had success as a singles wrestler, winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1990, and as a tag team wrestler with multiple partners in various National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories. Saito joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1981, where he teamed with Mr. Fuji to hold the World Tag Team Championship twice and would claim the nickname "Chopstick Charlie". In Japan, he wrestled for both top leagues, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He wrestled Antonio Inoki across Ganryujima island for over two hours in 1987. Saito was imprisoned in the United States for two years in the mid-1980s for physically assaulting police officers in Waukesha, Wisconsin, following an accusation of vandalism against his friend Ken Patera.
Shinya Koshika (小鹿 信也, Koshika Shinya; born April 28, 1942), known by his ring name Great Kojika (グレート小鹿, Gurēto…
Shinya Koshika (小鹿 信也, Koshika Shinya; born April 28, 1942), known by his ring name Great Kojika (グレート小鹿, Gurēto Kojika), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He co-founded the promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW). Kojika is the oldest active Japanese wrestler as well as the one with the longest career, having debuted in 1963. He is also the oldest active wrestler in the world.
Seiji Sakaguchi (坂口征二, Sakaguchi Seiji; born February 17, 1942) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and judoka…
Seiji Sakaguchi (坂口征二, Sakaguchi Seiji; born February 17, 1942) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and judoka, Sakaguchi holds a 7th dan red and white belt in judo. Sakaguchi was a mainstay of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance. His sons are professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter Yukio Sakaguchi and television actor Kenji Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi currently works for New Japan as an advisor.
Motoshi Okuma (大熊 元司, Ōkuma Motoshi, December 17, 1941 – December 27, 1992) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He is…
Motoshi Okuma (大熊 元司, Ōkuma Motoshi, December 17, 1941 – December 27, 1992) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Japan Wrestling Association (JWA), International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). During most of his career he teamed with Great Kojika.
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Masaru Yamamoto (山本 勝, Yamamoto Masaru; October 30, 1941 – August 28, 2010), known by his ring name Kotetsu Yamamoto…
Masaru Yamamoto (山本 勝, Yamamoto Masaru; October 30, 1941 – August 28, 2010), known by his ring name Kotetsu Yamamoto (山本小鉄, Yamamoto Kotetsu) was a Japanese professional wrestler, referee, and color commentator for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He was named "Kotetsu" ("Little Iron") by former Japanese pro wrestler Toyonobori after the famous knight, Aizu-No-Kotetsu. Originally a wrestler, Yamamoto was mostly known for his tag team the Yamaha Brothers with Kantaro Hoshino but made his biggest mark as a trainer in the New Japan Dojo having helped train Keiji Mutoh, Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru Suzuki, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Masahiro Chono among others.
Masao Kimura (木村 政雄, Kimura Masao; June 30, 1941 – May 24, 2010) was a Japanese professional wrestler, best known by…
Masao Kimura (木村 政雄, Kimura Masao; June 30, 1941 – May 24, 2010) was a Japanese professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Rusher Kimura (ラッシャー木村, Rasshā Kimura). He was a five-time IWA World Heavyweight Champion, making him a five-time world champion.
Shozo "Strong" Kobayashi (Japanese: ストロング小林, 25 December 1940 – 31 December 2021), also known by the stage name Strong…
Shozo "Strong" Kobayashi (Japanese: ストロング小林, 25 December 1940 – 31 December 2021), also known by the stage name Strong Kongô, was a Japanese professional wrestler and actor. He is known for his appearances with International Wrestling Enterprise and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as well as his appearances on television series including Choudenshi Bioman and Takeshi's Castle.
Tsuneharu Sugiyama (杉山 恒治, Sugiyama Tsuneharu; 23 July 1940 – 22 November 2002) was a Japanese amateur and professional…
Tsuneharu Sugiyama (杉山 恒治, Sugiyama Tsuneharu; 23 July 1940 – 22 November 2002) was a Japanese amateur and professional wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman heavyweight at the 1964 Summer Olympics. After his competitive career, he worked in International Wrestling Enterprise, All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling under the ring name of Thunder Sugiyama, later becoming an actor and tarento until his death.
🎓 Doshisha University🏫 Tokai High School📅 Born July 23🎂 Born 1940📍 From Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture💼 Wrestler💼 Wrestling
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Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the…
Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the 1960 Olympics and 1961 World Championships in the 62 kg division and finished fourth on both occasions.
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Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba…
Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba (ジャイアント馬場, Jaianto Baba), was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player. He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of his mentor Rikidōzan. For the first 10 years of its existence, Baba was the top star of All Japan, while also serving as the booker, promoter, head trainer and president of the promotion from its inception in 1972 till his death in 1999. Baba was also responsible for recruiting much of the talent for All Japan, and was the public face of the promotion for much of his lifetime. Considered one of the most beloved Japanese wrestlers ever, Baba was a national hero with a level of popularity in Japan comparable to that of Hulk Hogan in the United States. The 2006 Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan survey ranked Baba the 93rd greatest person in the history of Japan, as voted for by the general public. Among his many accomplishments, Baba was a record seven-time winner of the Champion Carnival, a four-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, three time NWA International Heavyweight Champion and a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
🏫 Niigata Kenou Technical High School📅 Born January 23🎂 Born 1938📍 From Sanjō, Niigata💼 Wrestler💼 TV Personality💼 Baseball
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Yasuhiro Kojima (小島 泰弘, Kojima Yasuhiro) (July 22, 1937 – November 27, 1999), best known by his ring name Hiro Matsuda…
Yasuhiro Kojima (小島 泰弘, Kojima Yasuhiro) (July 22, 1937 – November 27, 1999), best known by his ring name Hiro Matsuda (ヒロ・マツダ, Hiro Matsuda), was a Japanese professional wrestler, trainer, and booker.
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Tadashi Asai (28 November 1935 – 6 January 1990) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics and…
Tadashi Asai (28 November 1935 – 6 January 1990) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics and in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Mitsuharu Kitamura (2 October 1934 – 2006) was a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman lightweight at…
Mitsuharu Kitamura (2 October 1934 – 2006) was a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman lightweight at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
🌐 Wikipedia in other languages:Japanese (ja) ↗
Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō…
Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō Higuchi) was a Japanese professional wrestler, road agent, on-air personality and referee best known for his tenures with the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and All Japan Pro-Wrestling. The first official Japanese referee in the NWA, he was known as one of the best referees in the business and the most popular referee in Japanese Puroresu history. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum as a member of the Class of 2018.
🎓 Hosei University🏫 Hosei University Daini High School📅 Born January 18🎂 Born 1929📍 From Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture💼 Wrestler
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Azumafuji Kin'ichi (Japanese: 東富士 欽壹; October 28, 1921 – July 31, 1973) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from…
Azumafuji Kin'ichi (Japanese: 東富士 欽壹; October 28, 1921 – July 31, 1973) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Taitō, Tokyo. He was the sport's 40th yokozuna, and later a professional wrestler.
Masahiko Kimura (木村 政彦, Kimura Masahiko; 10 September 1917 – 18 April 1993) was a Japanese judoka and professional…
Masahiko Kimura (木村 政彦, Kimura Masahiko; 10 September 1917 – 18 April 1993) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. He won the All-Japan Judo Championships three times in a row for the first time in history and had never lost a judo match from 1936 to 1950. In submission grappling, the reverse ude-garami arm lock is often called the "Kimura", due to his famous victory over Gracie jiu-jitsu co-founder Hélio Gracie. In the Japanese professional wrestling world, he is known for being one of Japan's earliest stars and the controversial match he had with Rikidōzan.
🎓 Takushoku University🏫 Chinzei High School📅 Born September 10🎂 Born 1917📍 From Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture💼 Judo💼 Wrestler
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Manjiro "Matty" Matsuda (松田万次郎 (Matsuda Manjirō); b. 1887 Yatsushiro City, Japan, d. August 15, 1929, Battle Creek…
Manjiro "Matty" Matsuda (松田万次郎 (Matsuda Manjirō); b. 1887 Yatsushiro City, Japan, d. August 15, 1929, Battle Creek, Michigan) was a judoka who became a noted professional wrestler in the early 20th century.
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Tokugoro Ito (1878-January 22, 1939) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. Ito was one of the founding…
Tokugoro Ito (1878-January 22, 1939) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. Ito was one of the founding fathers of mixed martial arts in Brazil.
Banny Oikawa (バニー及川, Banī Oikawa) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently performing the Japanese promotion Ice…
Banny Oikawa (バニー及川, Banī Oikawa) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently performing the Japanese promotion Ice Ribbon where she is a former Triangle Ribbon Champion.
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