Ikuei Yamamoto (山本 郁榮, Yamamoto Ikuei; born 17 February 1945) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1972…Ikuei Yamamoto (山本 郁榮, Yamamoto Ikuei; born 17 February 1945) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Born in Hekikai District, Aichi Prefecture (in what is now Takahama City). He is the father of Miyuu Yamamoto, Norifumi Yamamoto and Seiko Yamamoto.
Hideo Fujimoto (藤本 英男, born June 24, 1944) is a retired Greco-Roman wrestler from Japan. He competed at the 1968 and…Hideo Fujimoto (藤本 英男, born June 24, 1944) is a retired Greco-Roman wrestler from Japan. He competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and won a silver medal in 1968, placing fourth in 1972. At the world championships he won a gold medal in 1970 and bronze medals in 1967 and 1971.
Muneji Munemura (宗村 宗二, Munemura Muneji) (born October 1, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in…Muneji Munemura (宗村 宗二, Munemura Muneji) (born October 1, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Yojiro Uetake (上武 洋次郎, Uetake Yōjirō; born January 12, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and two-time Olympic champion in…Yojiro Uetake (上武 洋次郎, Uetake Yōjirō; born January 12, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and two-time Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling. He went undefeated for the entirety of his college career, winning three consecutive NCAA Championships. Uetake was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma as a Distinguished Member in 1980. In 2005, he was inducted into the FILA Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Yoshikatsu Yoshida (吉田 義勝, Yoshida Yoshikatsu; born October 30, 1941) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won…Yoshikatsu Yoshida (吉田 義勝, Yoshida Yoshikatsu; born October 30, 1941) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won gold medals in the 52 kg category at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Born in Hokkaido, Yoshida graduated from the Nihon University in Tokyo. After retiring from wrestling he left sport and worked for Meiji Dairies, eventually joining its board of directors. Yoshikatsu Yoshida (吉田義勝) is often confused with Eikatsu Yoshida (吉田栄勝), a former national champion, and wrestling coach.
Osamu Watanabe (渡辺 長武, Watanabe Osamu; October 21, 1940 – October 1, 2022) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In 1962…Osamu Watanabe (渡辺 長武, Watanabe Osamu; October 21, 1940 – October 1, 2022) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In 1962 (Toledo, Ohio), he debuted internationally and was the reigning world champion, when he capped off his career with a gold medal for Japan in freestyle wrestling at the 1964 Olympics, retiring from competition shortly afterwards as the only undefeated Olympic champion to date at 189–0. He is considered one of the best wrestlers in Olympic history. In the early 2000s Watanabe resumed competing internationally in the masters category. He died of a heart attack on October 1, 2022.
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.
Masaaki Kaneko (金子正明, Kaneko Masaaki; born July 8, 1940) is a retired Japanese featherweight freestyle wrestler.…Masaaki Kaneko (金子正明, Kaneko Masaaki; born July 8, 1940) is a retired Japanese featherweight freestyle wrestler. Between 1966 and 1968 he won all major titles, including gold medals at two world championships, and at the 1966 Asian and 1968 Olympic Games. He was inducted in the Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007.
Masamitsu Ichiguchi (市口 政光, Ichiguchi Masamitsu; born January 12, 1940) is a Japanese retired wrestler. He competed in…Masamitsu Ichiguchi (市口 政光, Ichiguchi Masamitsu; born January 12, 1940) is a Japanese retired wrestler. He competed in the Greco-Roman bantamweight event at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and finished in seventh and first place, respectively. Earlier in 1962 he won the world championships and Asian Games in the same event.
Tsutomu Hanahara (花原 勉, Hanahara Tsutomu; January 3, 1940 – February 5, 2024) was a Japanese wrestler who won a gold…Tsutomu Hanahara (花原 勉, Hanahara Tsutomu; January 3, 1940 – February 5, 2024) was a Japanese wrestler who won a gold medal in the flyweight class at the 1964 Olympics. He competed at the 1958 and 1967 world championships and finished in sixth and third place, respectively.
Hiroaki Aoki (青木 廣彰, Aoki Hiroaki; October 9, 1938 – July 10, 2008), better known as Rocky Aoki, was a…Hiroaki Aoki (青木 廣彰, Aoki Hiroaki; October 9, 1938 – July 10, 2008), better known as Rocky Aoki, was a Japanese-American restaurateur, professional offshore powerboat racer and amateur wrestler. He was the founder of the Japanese cuisine restaurant chain Benihana and Genesis magazine. He was also the father of musician Steve Aoki and model and actress Devon Aoki.
Mitsuo Ikeda (池田 三男, Ikeda Mitsuo; 14 March 1935 – 12 September 2002) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won a gold…Mitsuo Ikeda (池田 三男, Ikeda Mitsuo; 14 March 1935 – 12 September 2002) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics. Later he worked as a wrestling coach.
Kazuo Katsuramoto (born September 5, 1934) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. In 1954 he won the −79 kg event at…Kazuo Katsuramoto (born September 5, 1934) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. In 1954 he won the −79 kg event at the Asian Games and finished third at the world championships. He shared fifth place at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Shigeru Kasahara (Japanese: 笠原 茂, June 11, 1933 - November 11, 1990) was a Japanese lightweight freestyle wrestler. He…Shigeru Kasahara (Japanese: 笠原 茂, June 11, 1933 - November 11, 1990) was a Japanese lightweight freestyle wrestler. He won a gold medal at the 1954 Asian Games and a silver at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Yutaka Kaneko (兼子 隆, Kaneko Yutaka; born 21 April 1933) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1960 Summer…Yutaka Kaneko (兼子 隆, Kaneko Yutaka; born 21 April 1933) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Yushu Kitano (北野 祐秀, Kitano Yūshū; 14 April 1930 – 27 February 2016) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In his weight…Yushu Kitano (北野 祐秀, Kitano Yūshū; 14 April 1930 – 27 February 2016) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In his weight category of under 52 kg, he won silver medals at the 1952 Olympics, 1954 World Championships and 1954 Asian Games. In retirement he worked as a wrestling coach and in this capacity attended the 1960 Olympics. In 2016, he died of a heart attack, aged 85.
Shozo Sasahara (笹原 正三, Sasahara Shōzō; July 28, 1929 – March 5, 2023) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won a world…Shozo Sasahara (笹原 正三, Sasahara Shōzō; July 28, 1929 – March 5, 2023) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won a world title in 1954 and an Olympics gold medal in 1956. He was the flag bearer for Japan at the 1956 Games. During his career Sasahara won approximately 200 bouts. After retiring from competitions he worked as a national coach. His trainees included Osamu Watanabe. Sasahara is credited with having designed "bound tennis" in 1980, which is a form of tennis played on a small-sized court. In 1981 he became the founding president of the Japan Bound Tennis Association. Between 1989 and 2003 Sasahara was president of Japan Wrestling Association. For many years he also served as Vice-President of United World Wrestling (FILA), and was later named its Honorary Vice-president. In 2006 he was inducted to the FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame. Sasahara died on March 5, 2023, at the age of 93.
Shohachi Ishii (石井 庄八, Ishii Shōhachi; September 20, 1926 – January 4, 1980) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won…Shohachi Ishii (石井 庄八, Ishii Shōhachi; September 20, 1926 – January 4, 1980) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He was the first Japanese gold medalist after World War II, the only Japanese gold medalist at the 1952 Olympics, and one of two Japanese medalists in wrestling at the 1952 Olympics, the other being flyweight Yushu Kitano, who won silver in freestyle. Ishii took up wrestling because there was no judo club around. He died of kidney cancer, aged 53.
Eiichi Kazama (風間 栄一, Kazama Eiichi; 19 February 1916 – 8 May 2001) was a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's…Eiichi Kazama (風間 栄一, Kazama Eiichi; 19 February 1916 – 8 May 2001) was a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle lightweight at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Ichiro Hatta (八田一朗, Hatta Ichirō; 3 June 1906 – 15 April 1983) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He was instrumental…Ichiro Hatta (八田一朗, Hatta Ichirō; 3 June 1906 – 15 April 1983) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He was instrumental in founding the Japanese Amateur Wrestling Association and bringing the 1964 Olympics to Japan.
Sumiyuki Kotani (小谷 澄之, Kotani Sumiyuki; August 3, 1903 – October 9, 1991) was a Japanese martial artist. He was a…Sumiyuki Kotani (小谷 澄之, Kotani Sumiyuki; August 3, 1903 – October 9, 1991) was a Japanese martial artist. He was a member of the 1932 Japanese Olympic wrestling team. He was one of the highest-ranked judoka, and was awarded a 10th dan in April 1984 by the Kodokan. He was for a long time the oldest 10th dan until Ichiro Abe was awarded the rank age of 83 years. Kotani studied at the Tokyo College of Education and studied judo directly under Jigoro Kano. As a young man, he was known to take on any challenges. Kotani was very active in promoting judo throughout the world and was the director of the international division at the Kodokan for many years. He was also a professor at Tokai University. He was the Kodokan's top representative and vice president of the All Japan Judo Federation. He died on October 19, 1991.
Katsutoshi Naito (内藤克俊, Naito Katsutoshi; 25 February 1895 – 27 September 1969) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in…Katsutoshi Naito (内藤克俊, Naito Katsutoshi; 25 February 1895 – 27 September 1969) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
Isuke Shinmen (23 October 1889 – 8 September 1967) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He competed in the men's…Isuke Shinmen (23 October 1889 – 8 September 1967) was a Japanese judoka and wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle lightweight at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Miyuu Yamamoto (山本 美憂, Yamamoto Miyū; born 4 August 1974) is a Japanese former female freestyle wrestler and mixed…Miyuu Yamamoto (山本 美憂, Yamamoto Miyū; born 4 August 1974) is a Japanese former female freestyle wrestler and mixed martial artist. Yamamoto is a three-time freestyle wrestling world champion and a Rizin Women's Super Atomweight title contender in MMA. She is represented with Krazy Bee.
Katsuya Kitamura (北村 克哉, Kitamura Katsuya; December 14, 1985 – October 12, 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler…Katsuya Kitamura (北村 克哉, Kitamura Katsuya; December 14, 1985 – October 12, 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler, bodybuilder and an amateur wrestler trained by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was the winner of the 2017 Young Lion Cup.
Kyoko Hamaguchi (浜口 京子, Hamaguchi Kyōko; born January 11, 1978 in Taito, Tokyo) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She…Kyoko Hamaguchi (浜口 京子, Hamaguchi Kyōko; born January 11, 1978 in Taito, Tokyo) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She has won five FILA Wrestling World Championships and two Olympic Bronze medals in the 72 kg weight class. She is sponsored by Japan Beverage Inc. and was nominated by the Japanese Olympic Committee's Special Athlete Campaign. Her father is professional wrestler Animal Hamaguchi, who is known for his emotional displays during Kyoko's matches. Although Kyoko has long wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and enter the professional game, the lack of a stable women's circuit since the collapse of All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling has kept her from doing so.
Kaori Icho (Japanese: 伊調 馨, Hepburn: Ichō Kaori; born 13 June 1984) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She is a ten-time…Kaori Icho (Japanese: 伊調 馨, Hepburn: Ichō Kaori; born 13 June 1984) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She is a ten-time World Champion and four-time Olympic Champion, winning gold in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Icho was undefeated between 2003 and 2016. On 29 January 2016 at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 2016 Icho lost to Pürevdorjiin Orkhon of Mongolia. This was her first loss after a long domination. She is the first female in any sport to win individual-event gold at four consecutive Olympics. On October 20, 2016, she was awarded the People's Honour Award by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for her achievements, the second wrestler to receive the highest award, after Saori Yoshida in 2012. She is the younger sister of Chiharu Icho.
Saori Yoshida (吉田 沙保里, Yoshida Saori; born 5 October 1982) is a Japanese former freestyle wrestler. Starting in 1998…Saori Yoshida (吉田 沙保里, Yoshida Saori; born 5 October 1982) is a Japanese former freestyle wrestler. Starting in 1998, she won almost every major competition, including three Olympic Games, four Asian Games, and 13 world championships, becoming the most decorated athlete in freestyle wrestling history. As of 2016, Yoshida had only suffered three senior-career losses in international competitions, to Marcie Van Dusen (0–2) on 20 January 2008 at the Team World Cup series, Valeria Zholobova (1–2) on 27 May 2012 at the World Cup, and to Helen Maroulis (1–4) on 18 August 2016 at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Yoshida was the flagbearer for Japan at the 2006 Asian Games and at the 2012 Olympics. In 2007, she became the first female wrestler to be named Japanese Athlete of the Year, and in 2012 she received the People's Honour Award.
