Kanji Inoki

Career overview

Kanji Inoki, also known as Muhammad Hussain Inoki and widely recognized by his ring name Antonio Inoki, was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Born on February 20, 1943, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, he began his professional wrestling career in the 1960s. He trained under Rikidōzan while working for The Japanese Wrestling Association and eventually became one of the most popular stars in the history of Japanese professional wrestling. Throughout his career, he was a twelve-time professional wrestling world champion, serving as the first IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the first Asian WWE Champion, although the latter reign is not officially recognized by the WWE.

In addition to his contributions as a wrestler and promoter, Inoki maintained a presence in the entertainment industry. He is credited with 27 known credits in the film and television database, including four roles as an actor and one job as a creator. His professional life spanned decades, transitioning from his early days in the ring to his later roles as a politician and promoter. Inoki passed away on October 1, 2022, at the age of 79. His ring name, Antonio Inoki, was adopted as a homage to the professional wrestler Antonino Rocca.