Yoshihiro Momota
Yoshihiro Momota (百田 義浩, Momota Yoshihiro) (March 15, 1946 – November 22, 2000) was a professional wrestler and a former ring announcer, known for his tenure in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is the son of wrestler Rikidozan and the older brother of Mitsuo Momota.
Yoshihiro Momota | |
---|---|
Born | Kyoto, Japan | March 15, 1946
Died | November 22, 2000 54) | (aged
Professional wrestling career | |
Billed height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Billed weight | 105.0 kg (231.5 lb) |
Trained by | Dory Funk Jr. Pat O'Connor Sonny Myers Terry Funk |
Debut | 1975 |
Retired | 1987 |
Career
On October 21, 1972, Momota, along with Shohei "Giant" Baba and younger brother Mitsuo Momota, founded All Japan Pro Wrestling where he started out as a ring announcer for the promotion. Around the mid-1970s, Momota decided to become a wrestler just like his father and his brother. He started training with Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr. and began wrestling in Texas before wrestling full-time for All Japan. His wrestling career didn't take off as well as planned although he did find a little success. In 1987 he retired from in-ring competition and decided to become a backstage helper and a member of the All Japan board of directors until he resigned from his position after Mitsuharu Misawa had disagreements with widow Motoko Baba.[1] He joined Pro Wrestling Noah as a backstage helper and a member of the board of directors, but in September 2000, his health was beginning to deteriorate due to liver failure.
Family
Momota is the son of Rikidozan, a wrestling legend who is known as the "Father of Puroresu". He also had a younger brother Mitsuo Momota. His nephew is named Chikara and is scheduled to make his professional wrestling debut during 2013.[2]
Death
In November 22, 2000 Momota died of liver failure. He was 54 years old.[3]
Championships and accomplishments
- 11-Man Battle Royal winner (1979)[4]
- Tokyo Sports
- Service Award (2001) [5]
References
- Hornbaker, Tim (2006). National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling. ECW Press. p. 328. ISBN 1-55022-741-6.
- 力道山孫が大鵬さん孫にエール. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
- http://cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4197&gimmick=Yoshihiro+Momota
- http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bilanzen&wrestler=9168&jahr=1979&monat=9
- http://www.purolove.com/awards.php