Rikidōzan

Mitsuhiro Momota, known by his ring name Rikidōzan, was born on November 14, 1924, in Korea during the Japanese occupation, in an area that is now part of North Korea. Initially, he practiced ssireum, a traditional Korean wrestling style, before relocating to Nagasaki, Japan, where he transitioned to sumo wrestling. Under the shikona Rikidōzan Mitsuhiro, he became a member of the Nishonoseki stable and competed in sumo until 1951, retiring with the rank of sekiwake.

Rikidōzan's journey took a pivotal turn when he was introduced to professional wrestling by members of the American National Wrestling Alliance. He quickly rose to prominence, becoming a national icon and is often referred to as the father of professional wrestling in Japan. His influence during a time when the Japanese people sought a hero to emulate cannot be overstated, earning him the nickname 'The Father of Puroresu.'

Tragically, Rikidōzan's life was cut short at the age of thirty-nine due to peritonitis, a complication from stab wounds inflicted during an altercation with a yakuza member at a Tokyo nightclub. His untimely death on December 15, 1963, left a significant void in the world of wrestling.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Rikidōzan was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in two thousand seventeen, marking him as the first ethnic Korean inductee and the third puroresu inductee, following legends Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami.