Antonio Inoki

Also known as

猪木 寛至 · Inoki Kanji

Description

Antonio Inoki (1943–2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, and politician. He founded New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1972 and fought Muhammad Ali in the 1976 wrestler-vs-boxer match that paved the way for modern MMA. He trained Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask) and was a key figure in the development of shoot wrestling and mixed martial arts in Japan. He was also elected to the Japanese House of Councillors and negotiated the release of Japanese hostages in Iraq.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Rikidōzan

  (1960–1963)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Independent sources state it.

  “Inoki met Rikidōzan at the age of 17 in Brazil and went back to Japan for the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) as his disciple.”

  — Antonio Inoki (Wikipedia EN)link history info

  “Rikidozan was immediately impressed by Inoki’s stature, height, and natural athleticism, and returned to Japan with Inoki in tow to commence his training.”

  — (2022-10-04). Antonio Inoki Changed the World link info
• 
  Karl Gotch

  sports_martial_artsCatch Wrestling Probable

  Probable

  Inoki trained under Karl Gotch and was deeply influenced by catch wrestling, which he incorporated into New Japan Pro-Wrestling's strong style

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1970–1975)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Inoki trained under Karl Gotch and was deeply influenced by catch wrestling, which he incorporated into New Japan Pro-Wrestling's strong style

  “Inoki was amongst the group of professional wrestlers who were tutored in the art of hooking and shooting by the professional wrestler Karl Gotch.”

  — Antonio Inoki (Wikipedia EN)link history info

Lineage

• Catch WrestlingKarl Gotch ← Billy Riley ← Willie Charnock · 3 generations

Students (1)

• 
  Satoru Sayama

  (1976–1983)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Sayama trained under Antonio Inoki at New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 1976; extensively documented in wrestling history

  “Primarily trained under New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) founder Antonio Inoki and his mentor Karl Gotch”

  — Satoru Sayama (Wikipedia EN)link history info

Sources

Identifiers