Antonio Inoki

It's been reported that Antonio Inoki, former wrestler, promoter, and politician, has passed away at age 79.

Inoki’s influence and his achievements will live on forever in the wrestling world; he’s an inspiration to all of the dreamers. In 1989, Antonio Inoki followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming involved in politics. Later in life, Inoki promoted various MMA events and even created his own professional wrestling/MMA hybrid promotion, Inoki Genome Federation (IGF). However, when Inoki was fired from JWA in 1971, Inoki founded his own promotion the year after; the latter promotion became known as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Early in his career, Inoki wrestled for multiple organizations, most notably the Japanese Wrestling Association (JWA). However, he made a rare television appearance in May of last year, being featured in the [Collision in Korea](https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2021/05/21/collision-in-korea-dark-side-of-the-ring/) episode of Dark Side of the Ring.

Antonio Inoki, a combat sports trailblazer, influential politician and larger-than-life figure in his native Japan, died Friday at the age of 79.

Inoki flew to Iraq in 1996 on a one-man diplomatic mission and negotiated with Saddam Hussein the release of 36 Japanese hostages. Inoki managed and taught Machida early in the MMA great's career, as well. Inoki used his popularity gained from fighting Ali to become the most popular pro wrestler in the history of Japan. "There is one word in Japanese which is called 'guiri.' It means to recognize people who did something at the beginning where [someone] doesn't have opportunities whatsoever, and he did that for me. Inoki was at many Pride shows as part of its introduction ceremonies and did a parachuted skydive from an airplane into Tokyo National Stadium in front of more than 90,000 people at Pride Shockwave 2002. Prior to that, Inoki's final official pro wrestling match came against current UFC Hall of Famer [Don Frye](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2354083/don-frye) in 1998 in front of 70,000 at the Tokyo Dome. Inoki ended in a draw, but Inoki spent most of the 15-round contest on his back, kicking at Ali's legs and landing those kicks more than 100 times. Inoki was the most important professional wrestler in the history of Japan, selling out countless arenas and stadiums from the 1970s and on. In addition to the sold-out crowd of more than 14,000 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, it aired on closed-circuit across the world. Shea Stadium in New York aired the bout on its big screen and drew a crowd of 32,897 with an undercard of pro wrestling and mixed-rules matches. The bout was one of the most watched fights of its generation. Antonio Inoki, a combat sports trailblazer, influential politician and larger-than-life figure in his native Japan, died Friday at the age of 79.

The wrestling world lost a legend today. NJPW founder, WWE Hall of Famer, and former member of the Japanese House of Councillors passed away at the age of ...

Inoki’s influence and his achievements will live on forever in the wrestling world; he’s an inspiration to all of the dreamers. Throughout his iconic pro wrestling career, Inoki shared the ring with names like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and Andre the Giant. The wrestling world lost a legend today.

The famed professional wrestler was known for taking on world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in 1976 and making numerous trips to North Korea as a lawmaker.

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The popular Japanese professional wrestler and lawmaker Antonio Inoki, who faced Muhammad Ali in a mixed martial arts match in 1976, has died aged 79.

Born as Kanji Inoki in 1943 in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, he moved to Brazil with his family when he was 13 and worked at a coffee plantation. Inoki was upbeat and in good spirits, even as he was fighting the disease. He also staged a pro-wrestling match in North Korea. I express my condolences from the bottom of my heart.” He also was the first in his sport to enter politics. Onita called Inoki “the great father of pro wrestling” and added, “Thank you Inoki-san.

A legend of both pro wrestling and MMA has died at the age of 79 after battling with illnesses that confined him to a wheelchair.

While he only served one term that ended in 1995, he returned in 2013 as a representative of a different small alternative party called the “Japan Restoration Party.” Inoki’s second term involved several struggles due to his interest in fostering a relationship between Japan and North Korea, and he retired in 2019. Internal politics and disputes removed his name from its record books, but did not sully his name enough to prohibit him from an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010. Inoki’s involvement with the pro wrestling world was pivotal into its development internationally, and he wrestled in his own league of NJPW even when other major leagues took note. The fight was ultimately scored a draw, but it served as pivotal moment to introduce the world to the potential of MMA. In 2007, he created the Inoki Genome Federation, having left NJPW to pave his own way. Regardless of their interpretation, the two engaged in a 15-round battle where much of the match was spent with Inoki on the ground, kicking Ali’s legs.

Devenu célèbre en 1976, après un combat contre le boxeur Mohamed Ali à Tokyo, il a été sénateur de 1989 à 1995.

C’est en 1998 qu’il a cessé de combattre. Réélu parlementaire en 2013, il a établi des relations personnelles fortes avec la Corée du Nord où il s’est rendu des dizaines de fois pour tenter notamment d’aider à résoudre la question des enlèvements de citoyens japonais par Pyongyang lors de la Guerre froide. Japon: décès du célèbre catcheur Antonio Inoki à l’âge de 79 ans

Le catch perd l'une de ses plus grandes icônes. Selon les médias japonais, la légende Antonio Inoki nous a quitté ce vendredi 30 septembre 2022.

Jusqu’à ce jour, Inoki est considéré comme l’un des pionniers du catch et l’une des personnalités les plus influentes du milieu, qui aura changé la face de cette industrie pour toujours. Inoki est notamment le fondateur de la New Japan Pro Wrestling, la plus grande compagnie de catch du Japon et l’une des plus importantes du monde. Le catch perd l’une de ses plus grandes icônes.

Il prendra le prénom Antonio en hommage au catcheur Antonino Rocca. Dans les années 60, il commence son entraînement du côté de la Japanese Wrestling ...

Il a aussi été intronisés au sein du Hall Of Fame de la WCW et a remporté de nombreuses récompenses tout au long de sa carrière. Antonio Inoki fait partie du Hall Of Fame de la WWE où il a été intronisé en 2010. Antionio Inoki est viré de la JWA en 1971 et en 1972, il fonde la New Japan Pro Wrestling qui fête cette année ses 50 ans d'existence et qui est à l'heure actuelle la plus grande fédération de catch au Japon.

Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki has passed away at the age of 79. The professional wrestling business is mourning the loss of the great Inoki.

One of the most charismatic humans I've ever met. Inoki’s influence and his achievements will live on forever in the wrestling world; he’s an inspiration to all of the dreamers. RIP Antonio Inoki, a pioneer in the pro wrestling industry. As expected, the tributes have been pouring in for Inoki on social media. That led to the commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves talking briefly about Inoki’s impact on pro wrestling as well as WWE showing this graphic in memory of Inoki. His real name was Kanji Inoki and was the founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling with many people saying there would be no NJPW 50 years later without him.

Le monde du catch perd l'une de ses plus importantes figures, Antonio Inoki est décédé. C'est le site Yahoo Sports Japan qui a annoncé la nouvelle ce ...

Inoki vendra ses parts de la NJPW en 2005 et fondera la Inoki Genome Federation en 2007. Il s’est aussi fait élire en tant que sénateur à la Chambre des Conseillers du Japon en 1989 et pour deux mandats. Antonio Inoki est notamment connu pour être le fondateur de la New Japan Pro-Wrestling en 1972 après avoir été renvoyé par la promotion japonaise JWA, qui lui permettra d’affronter des stars du catch venu du monde entier et surtout des États-Unis comme Lou Thesz, Great Antonio, Andre The Giant ou encore Bob Backlund.

C'est une figure du Japon qui est décédé, ce samedi 1er octobre. Célèbre catcheur nippon devenu parlementaire, Antonio Inoki est décédé à l'âge de 79 ans, ...

C’est en 1998 qu’il a cessé de combattre. Le média a affirmé qu’Antonio Inoki, célèbre catcheur japonais devenu parlementaire, était mort d’une crise cardiaque. Réélu parlementaire en 2013, il a établi des relations personnelles fortes avec la Corée du Nord où il s’est rendu des dizaines de fois pour tenter notamment d’aider à résoudre la question des enlèvements de citoyens japonais par Pyongyang lors de la Guerre froide.

Inoki brought Japanese pro-wrestling to fame and pioneered mixed martial arts matches between top wrestlers and champions from other combat sports like judo, ...

Born as Kanji Inoki in 1943 in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, he moved to Brazil with his family when he was 13 and worked at a coffee plantation. Inoki was upbeat and in good spirits, even as he was fighting the disease. He also was the first in his sport to enter politics.

Inoki was the very first IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the first Japanese WWF Heavyweight Champion but the WWE never recognized his reign. Inoki beat Bob ...

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Du haut de son 1,90 mètre, Antonio Inoki était l'un des pionniers des arts martiaux mixtes au Japon. Devenu célèbre en 1976, après un combat contre le ...

Le lutteur, qui disait vouloir « contribuer à la paix mondiale à travers le sport », avait organisé des festivals d’arts martiaux et de lutte en Corée du Nord, l’occasion pour lui de rencontrer des dirigeants du pays. Devenu célèbre en 1976, après un combat contre le boxeur Mohamed Ali à Tokyo, il a été sénateur de 1989 à 1995. C’est en 1998 qu’il a cessé de combattre.

Antonio Inoki, a distinguished professional wrestler who took on world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in 1976 and made numerous trips to North Korea as a ...

In 1989, Inoki was elected to Japan's House of Councillors as a member of the now-defunct Sports and Peace Party. Over the years, his domestic popularity grew while a number of his catchy inane sayings became popular across the country. The Yokohama native moved to Brazil when he was in junior high school.

TOKYO (AP) — A popular Japanese professional wrestler and lawmaker Antonio Inoki, who faced a world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a mixed martial ar...

Born as Kanji Inoki in 1943 in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, he moved to Brazil with his family when he was 13 and worked at a coffee plantation. Inoki was upbeat and in good spirits, even as he was fighting the disease. He also staged a pro-wrestling match in North Korea. Onita called Inoki “the great father of pro-wrestling” and added, “Thank you Inoki-san. He was the first in his sport to enter politics. To many of those outside Japan, however, the match was seen as unprofessional and not taken seriously.

Il est devenu célèbre en 1976 après un combat diffusé dans le monde entier contre le célèbre boxeur Mohamed Ali à Tokyo.

Ses séjours en Corée du Nord avaient été abondamment couverts par les médias nippons mais embarrassaient souvent les autorités japonaises. 2022. Le lutteur, qui disait vouloir « contribuer à la paix mondiale à travers le sport » avait organisé des festivals d'arts martiaux et de lutte en Corée du Nord, l'occasion pour lui de rencontrer des dirigeants du pays.

Japanese professional wrestler-turned lawmaker Antonio Inoki has died aged 79, according to a tweet posted on Saturday by his organization.

He organized a wrestling match in Pyongyang in 2014, involving American professional wrestling stars. In Brazil, he met his mentor and pro-wrestling star Rikidozan, who scouted him. The trip came at a time of thawing relations between Japan and North Korea over the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and ’80s. [said in a statement, ](https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-hall-of-famer-antonio-inoki-passes-away)“paved the way for the advent of Mixed Martial Arts, which would explode in popularity decades later.” [wrestlers](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/28/sport/navid-afkari-cmd-spt-intl/index.html) - famously faced boxing great [Muhammad Ali](https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/25/sport/muhammad-ali-wbc-belt-auction-spt-intl/index.html) in a mixed martial arts match in 1976. Born Kanji Inoki in February 20, 1943, in Yokohama, a city south of Tokyo, he moved to Brazil with his family when he was 13 years old, according to a NJPW statement.

TOKYO (AP) — A popular Japanese professional wrestler and lawmaker Antonio Inoki, who faced a world boxing champion Muhammad Ali in a mixed martial arts ...

He also staged a pro-wrestling match in North Korea. Born as Kanji Inoki in 1943 in Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, he moved to Brazil with his family when he was 13 and worked at a coffee plantation. Inoki was upbeat and in good spirits, even as he was fighting the disease. He was the first in his sport to enter politics. To many of those outside Japan, however, the match was seen as unprofessional and not taken seriously. Article content

Trailblazing professional wrestler Antonio Inoki, who famously fought Muhammad Ali in a mixed-rules match, reportedly died Saturday at his home in his ...

And, he worked with North Korea to stop the kidnappings of Japanese citizens in Pyongyang during the Cold War. Inoki was a storied politician who successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of Japanese hostages before the 1990 Gulf War in Iraq. Inoki also pinned [Ric Flair](https://www.tmz.com/people/ric-flair/) in a 1995 match and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

Japanese wrestler faced everyone from Muhammad Ali to Ric Flair during his storied career in the ring.

He’s a six-time Hall of Famer, yes one hand plus a finger, including the WWE Hall of Fame and the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. While still wrestling, he was elected to the Japanese House of Councilors, the equivalent to the U.S. Inoki is one degree of separation from Clark Kent because of his 1976 fight against Muhammad Ali, then the WBC and WBA heavyweight champion with a 53-2 record.