Japanese wrestler turned politician Antonio Inoki dies aged 79

Japanese wrestling legend and politician Antonio Inoki has died aged 79.

Born in wartime Yokohama on February 20, 1943, Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972 before entering politics in 1989 when he was elected to the Japanese House of Councilors.

In the world of wrestling, Inoki trained several wrestlers, including Akira Maeda, Bad News Allen, the first Tiger Mask, Keiji Muto, Riki Choshu, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Rocky Romero.

Known as Japan’s Dennis Rodman, he even fought boxer Muhammad Ali in 1976’s “period of the century” — a fight that experts say served as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

Japanese wrestling legend and politician Antonio Inoki has died aged 79

Muhammad Ali shook hands with Japanese professional wrestler Antonio Inoki in 1998

Inoki, known as Japan’s Dennis Rodman, fought boxer Ali in 1976 in the “period of the century” — a fight that experts say was a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

Rikidozan and Antonio Inoki around 1960 in Japan

Professional wrestler Antonio Inoki speaks at an event on October 31, 2020

During his tenure, Inoki represented Japan in meetings with Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, among others.

Inoki was also an ambassador for professional wrestling, bringing major events to places like Russia and China.

In 1995, Inoki fought American Ric Flair in what was dubbed the “Collision in Korea,” a two-day event at Pyongyang’s massive May Day Stadium that reportedly drew 380,000 spectators and guest visitors, including Ali.

Ali dances while Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki tries a leg kick

Muhammad Ali fights Antonio Inoki in 1976

His retirement game, which was held at the Tokyo Dome on April 4, 1998, attracted more than 70,000 fans.

And in 2010, Inoki was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Yahoo Japan reported that Inoki had passed away at the age of 79 due to a series of health problems in recent years. No cause of death has been announced.