The Japanese legend of pro wrestling. There was a time when some men could alone make the difference, well Antonio Inoki was one of them. Sayonara dear champion.
Inoki san
What a journey for this tall man, who shows to the world the meaning of endurance and hard work. Born in Yokohama as Kanji Inoki, but globally known as his ring name Antonio Inoki, he started his career as a professional wrestler at the age of 17, when he met the legend of the Puroresu (the Japanese Pro Wrestling), Rikidozan. The championship came on 1979, and thanks to Inoki a more realistic and full contact pro wrestling style (Shoot Wrestling) start to spread around the world.
The Worldwide challenger
To demonstrate the valor of pro wrestling, Inoki started to face many great martial artists from various disciplines, like Sumo wrestlers, karateka, judoka, Kung Fu practitioners and boxers. His most famous fight was against the greatest boxers of all time Muhammed Ali. These fights contributes gradually to increase the interest in MMA, as precursor matches.
Anime tributes
The fame of Antonio Inoki landed also in various anime, that as result it is very probable seeing one of his tribute if there is a pro wrestler character. One of his most famous appearance is in the popular manga Tiger Mask, that made him a big tribute characterising him to the anime transposition. Another big tribute was made in the Baki: The Grappler series, where Antonio Inoki is played by the character Kanji Igari.
The Japanese legend of pro wrestling made history long before his dead. What is your favourite Antonio Inoki’s match?