Rikidozan

Rikidōzan (November 14, 1924 - December 15, 1963) was a professional wrestler, known as the "Father of Puroresu" and one of the most influential men in wrestling history. He was credited with bringing the sport of professional wrestling to Japan at a time when the Japanese needed a local hero to look up to.
==Championships and accomplishments==
*Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance
**All Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times) with Toyonobori (4)
**Japanese Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*National Wrestling Alliance
**NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2011)
**Mid-Pacific Promotions
***NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (2 times) with Bobby Bruns (1) and Azumafuji (1)
**NWA San Francisco
***NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) with Dennis Clary
***NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) with Kokichi Endo
*Worldwide Wrestling Associates
**WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*World Wrestling Entertainment
**WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
*Wrestling Observer Newsletter
**Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
==Popular culture==
In 2004, A South Korean film, Rikidozan was made about the life of the wrestler, with Sol Kyung-gu playing the titular role.
Rikidōzan himself appeared in 29 films, including:
*Otsukisama ni wa warui kedo (1954) as himself
*Yagate aozora (1955) as himself
*Rikidōzan monogatari dotō no otoko (1955) as himself
==External links==
* WWE.com Profile
* Profile
* Profile
Category:Japanese wrestlers
Category:Wrestling executives
Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Category:Wrestlers who have died
Category:1963 deaths
Category:1951 debuts
Category:NWA International Heavyweight Champions
Category:1924 births
Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni
Category:Japan Wrestling Association alumni
Category:Worldwide Wrestling Associates alumni
Category:WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Inductee
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance alumni
Category:All Asia Tag Team Champions