Monthly Archives: February 2016

Friday: Japanese Hero

02/03/2016 blog

Rikidozan (Momota Mitsuhiro) <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikid%C5%8Dzan> (“Father of the Professional Wrestling”)  His name “Rikidozan” comes from his own Shikona (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikona). He used to be a professional Sumo wrestler before he got involved in professional wrestling world. Just before he was about to be promoted to Ozeki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makuuchi#.C5.8Czeki), however, he quit Sumo business. He moved on as an average business person.  It didn’t take long before Rikidozan got involved in Professional Wrestling Business. He promoted himself and traveled all around. His popularity grew day by day – even more as a professional wrestler, rather than a Sumo wrestler. Giant Baba (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Baba) and Antonio Inoki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Inoki) were his disciples, recruited by Rikidozan. (Antonio Inoki)  Treated …