Antonio Inoki, a Japanese professional wrestling star turned politician, widely known for his match with Muhammad Ali and ties to North Korea, has died aged 79, after years of battling a rare disease, the company he founded said on Saturday.
"New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened at the passing of our founder, Antonio Inoki," the company he started in 1972 posted on Twitter. "His achievements, both in professional wrestling and the global community are without parallel and will never be forgotten."
Tributes to Inoki poured in across social media. Atsushi Onita, another pro wrestler turned politician, tweeted: "An era has come to an end."Triple H, the current chief content officer of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc Inoki developed close ties with North Korea because his mentor, early pro-wrestling superstar Rikidozan, hailed from North Korea but could never go home after the peninsula was divided by war.
In 1995, he organised a two-day "Collision in Korea" wrestling extravaganza before more than 100,000 spectators in Pyongyang's May Day Stadium. Inoki defeated Ric Flair in the main event with his signature "enzuigiri," a jumping kick to the back of the head.
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