Antonio Inoki, the Japanese wrestler died at 79 – Corriere.it

The wrestling world in tears over the death of Antonio Inoki at the age of 79. A symbol, moreover, a legend of this discipline. If modern wrestling has been successful, it is thanks to this Japanese who is 190 centimeters tall and weighs just over 100 kilos (102). The Japanese media gave the sad news, citing sources close to the sample. A modern hero of the Rising SunIn a country where martial arts and sumo are the masters, Inoki went against the tide, exploiting his physique and carrying the Japanese flag around the world in the midst of American, British or French wrestlers. that’s why Inoki’s name will be unforgettable.

Born in Yokohama, Inoki moved to Brazil as a student. And in South America that this boy, just 17, decides to pursue a career in wrestling and thus become a professional wrestler. The merit, as has always been said, of one of his countrymen, a Japanese entrepreneur. Famous for his statuesque physique and extraordinarily long chin, along with the other Japanese wrestler, Shohei Giant BabaInoki considered the architect of modern wrestling success, with the founding of the professional league starting in 1972 and the advent of ringside television.

In the mid-70s his popularity was cemented even more by the meeting he decided to organize even with the King of boxing, one of the greatest athletes of all time: Muhammad Ali. It happened in 1976 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo and a global event. Twelve years later, in 1988, Inoki decides to retire from the ring. But away from wrestling the light doesn’t go out. Indeed, more and more luminous. Because already in 1989 Inoki was elected to the Japanese Parliament from the ranks of the Sport and Peace party, showing all his qualities and his commitment to intense diplomatic activity. First in Iraq in 1990 – for the release of Japanese hostages at the beginning of the Gulf War -, then over the years in North Korea, to deal with the Pyongyang regime, through unofficial channels, the issue of the regime’s many Japanese hostages. His health conditions worsen in July 2020, when this giant capable of doing everything admits he has heart problems. And now that he is gone, not only the Japan.