Rikidōzan

Rikidozan (1924 - December 15, 1963), was the father of puroresu. He established the puroresu as a popular professional sport in Japan less than a decade after Japan lost World War II. Continuously defeating Americans with his famous karate chop, he was a hero for the Japanese people who were still depressed from the war. Many of his students became big stars in the sport, including Shohei "Giant" Baba and Antonio Inoki, who are two of the greatest wrestlers in the history of puroresu, and Kintaro Ohki (Kim Il), who was also a superstar in his home country South Korea. 

Because the Koreans were discriminated against in Japan, his real identity was kept secret for many years even after his death. It was always believed that he was born Mitsuhiro Momota in Ohmura, Nagasaki, Japan. Momota is the last name of his adopted parents in Nagasaki.

His 1957/10/6 sixty-minute draw with Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship drew an 87.0 rating, and his 1963/5/24 sixty-minute draw with The Destroyer drew a 67.0 rating (the 4th largest viewing audience in Japanese history, since by 1963 more people had television sets, thanks to Rikidōzan's popularity).

In wrestling
Finishing moves
Mongolian chop
Piledriver

Championships and accomplishments
Japan Wrestling Association
JWA All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Toyonobori
JWA All Japan Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Toyonobori
NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Japanese Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
World Big League (5 times)

Mid-Pacific Promotions
NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Bobby Bruns (1), Azumafuji (1) and Koukichi Endoh (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 Koukichi Endoh

North American Wrestling Alliance
NAWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996
Websites
Puroresu.com
References

Category:1924 births
Category:1963 deaths
Category:Japanese professional wrestlers
Category:Professional wrestling executives
Category:WWE Hall of Fame