Wrestling Legends – Antonio Inoki
If there is something that is common among the wrestling fans of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Brazil, Pakistan. India and United States, than it is that they still talk about the golden days when Antonio Inoki ruled the wrestling world. Antonio Inoki is part of the WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2010. But there was something which made Antonio Inoki stand out in the line of all the other Hall of Fame wrestlers. Antonio Inoki is a living legend who has shaped the world of professional wrestling and has fought with national heroes around the world.
It was Antonio Inoki who fought with the great boxer, Muhammad Ali in a boxer vs. wrestler match. This match attracted fans from around the world and paved the way for a new form of fighting called the Mixed Martial Arts. The legend of Antonio Inoki has gained such unprecedented popularity in Japan which is his native country that he was elected to the House of Councilors of 1989. He met with different famous leaders of the world during his tenure and used his wrestling charm to bring peace between different countries.
Antonio Inoki who is merely known as Inoki in the wrestling circles all over the world was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1943. He spent the initial time of his life in Brazil where he became a national hero in the sports of shot put and discus throw. But it was Rikidozan who changed his life and invited Antonio Inoki to join his Japanese Wrestling Association. Rikidozan was impressed by the athleticism and power of Inoki and thought that Inoki has the potential to become a wrestling legend. After entering the Japanese Wrestling Association, Antonio Inoki formed a tag team with Giant Baba to establish a formidable partnership. Though Antonio Inoki gained many successes in the start of his tag team career but it was the singles wrestling which became a reason of identification for Antonio Inoki. No one knew at that time that the invitation by Rikidozan will change the very course of wrestling in the coming years.
After establishing the legend of Inoki by fighting and defeating many wrestlers, Antonio Inoki established the professional body of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972. NJPW promoted many wrestlers who became champions in their respective countries. His most famous promotions were the American wrestling superstars, Bob Buckland and Vader. He also introduced some of the best high flyers of the wrestling world such as the Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask. But Antonio Inoki was not merely interested in the promotion of wrestling as he fought and retained many championships in his own organization. He fought with many wrestling legends around the world including Hulk Hogan and Tiger Jeet Singh.
The legend of Antonio Inoki reached such unprecedented heights that his peers started regarding him as “Moeru Toukon” which means “the fighting spirit that burns”. And it was undoubtedly the fighting spirit which brought Antonio Inoki success throughout his professional wrestling career. The myth and reality about Antonio Inoki combined in such a manner that many new wrestlers and grapplers requested Antonio Inoki to slap them in the face. These new fighters believed that a slap by Antonio Inoki will bring power and courage in their mortal souls and they will have a chance to become a champion.
Antonio Inoki was also interested in promoting peace around the world by using his wrestling skills. In 1995 Antonio Inoki fought with another wrestling legend, Ric Flair in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. This match is regarded as one of the greatest matches of professional wrestling after it attracted a huge crowd in the North Korean capital. His last match was held in Tokyo Dome in 1998 and attracted more than 70,000 fans which is a record in itself. Antonio Inoki will always be remembered as one of the pioneers and legends of professional wrestling and his services will never be forgotten.
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