The famous Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, and politician Antonio Inoki died at 79. Antonio once faced Muhammad Ali, world boxing champion, in mixed martial arts and boxing match in 1976.
Antonio was the man, who brought Japanese pro wrestling to fame, and started mixed martial arts matches between top wrestlers and champions from other combat sports like karate, judo, and boxing.
Antonio was the first person in wrestling to enter politics, and he promoted peace through sports. During his time in politics, he also made more than 30 trips to North Korea as a lawmaker in hopes of forging peace and friendship.
Antonio was the president of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Co, and according to this, Antonio was battling a rare disease called amyloidosis, due to which he died earlier Saturday.
The last time Antonio appeared in public was in August on a TV show, and he was in a wheelchair, with his trademark red scarf dangling from his neck. He said as you can see, I am pushing myself to the limit and getting power as I get to see you.
Antonio was in Yokohama in 1943, and his birth name was Kanji Inoki. He moved to Brazil with his family at 13, and at 17, he won local fame in the shot put as a student, where he captured the attention of Rikidozan, a Japanese pro wrestler who was on a tour of Brazil.
Antonio made his wrestling debut in 1960, and two years later, he gave himself the ring name Antonio Inoki. He rosed global fame in 1976 in a mixed martial arts match at Tokyo’s Budokan Hall, when he faced Muhammad Ali, which is still remembered as the fight of the century.
Antonio entered politics in 1989, and in his political era, he visited North Korea repeatedly to help resolve Japan’s longstanding issue of the past North and also staged a pro-wrestling match in North Korea.
Antonio retired as a wrestler in 1998 but remained active in politics until 2019.
