Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Rikidōzan

Role / Field:

Pioneering Korean-Japanese wrestler, famed as the 'Father of Puroresu' in Japan.

Born:

1924-11-14

Died:

1963-12-15

Century / Era:

1924s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Mitsuhiro Momota (born Kim Sin-rak; November 14, 1924 – December 15, 1963), better known by the ring name Rikidōzan (力道山), was a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler and sumo wrestler. He was known as the father of professional wrestling in Japan, nicknamed "The Father of Puroresu" (日本プロレス界の父), and is considered one of the most influential people in professional wrestling history. Born in Korea under Japanese rule, in an area that is now part of North Korea, Momota initially practiced ssireum before moving to Nagasaki to become a sumo wrestler. As a member of the Nishonoseki stable, he was given the shikona Rikidōzan Mitsuhiro (力道山 光浩).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He competed in sumo until 1951, retiring as a sekiwake, and was introduced to professional wrestling by members of the American National Wrestling Alliance. Credited with popularizing professional wrestling in Japan at a time when its people needed a hero to emulate, he was lauded as a national icon. At the age of 39, Momota died from peritonitis, which had been caused by stab wounds he had suffered a week prior in an altercation with a yakuza member at a Tokyo nightclub. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, becoming the first...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexandre Lacassagne — Contemporary (Died in 1924) (1924): Pioneering French criminologist and founder of the Lacassagne school of criminology.
• Alfred Marshall — Contemporary (Died in 1924) (1924): Father of scientific economics; popularized supply and demand theory.
• Amílcar Cabral — Contemporary (Born in 1924) (1924): Bissau-Guinean anti-colonial leader, intellectual, and revolutionary poet.
• Abd el-Krim — Contemporary (Died in 1963) (1963): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke — Contemporary (Died in 1963) (1963): British Field Marshal and Chief of the Imperial General Staff during WWII.
• Aldous Huxley — Contemporary (Died in 1963) (1963): English writer and philosopher known for social satire and mystical explorations.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Shared historical date (11-14 · Died) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Aaron Copland — Shared historical date (11-14 · Born) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Adam Brody — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1979): American actor known for roles in The O.C., Shazam!, and StartUp.
• Akira Mutō — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1892): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• 1924 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1924
• November 14 (11-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 14
• 1963 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1963
• December 15 (12-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Rikidōzan