is a former
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...
and
sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...
wrestler from
Fujishima,
Higashitagawa District,
Yamagata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Yamagata Prefecture has a population of 1,079,950 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 9,325 km² (3,600 sq mi). Yamagata Prefecture borders Akita Prefecture to the north, ...
,
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
.
Sumo wrestling career
He played baseball up to junior high school, but at Sakata Minami High School he switched to sumo and won the high school section of the
National Sports Festival. He was an amateur sumo champion while at
Nihon University
, abbreviated as , is a private university, private research university in Japan. Its predecessor, Nihon Law School (currently the Department of Law), was founded by Yamada Akiyoshi, the Minister of Justice (Japan), Minister of Justice, in 1889. ...
, winning the All Japan Sumo Championships and the amateur ''
yokozuna
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
'' title. From 1975 to 1977 he was a sumo wrestler with the
Hanakago stable
, formerly known as Shibatayama stable from September 1952 to May 1953, was a stable of sumo wrestlers, one of the Nishonoseki '' ichimon'' or group of stables. Founded by former ''maegashira'' Ōnoumi Hisamitsu. It closed in 1985 with all wrestl ...
and used the
fighting name of Ōnoumi, which had also been
his stablemaster's fighting name. He reached a highest rank of
maegashira
, or , is the top division of the six divisions of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (''rikishi''), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.
This is the on ...
4, but was forced to retire at the age of 24 after complications with
diabetes
Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...
.
Professional wrestling career
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1977–1988)
After retiring from sumo, Ishikawa decided to become a professional wrestler and joined
All Japan Pro Wrestling
(AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established on October 21, 1972 when Giant Baba split away from the Japanese Wrestling Association and created his own promotion. Many wrestlers had left with Baba, ...
.
Giant Baba
, best known by his ring name , was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player. He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota ...
sent him to
Pat O'Connor for training. After training, he was sent to the Funks' territory in Amarillo, Texas, where he debuted on November 8, 1977, under the name Takashi Onome. In January 1978, he was sent to Kansas City for
Central States Wrestling.
Returning to Japan in November 1978, Ishikawa wrestled a tour with
International Wrestling Enterprise
International Wrestling Enterprise (国際プロレス興行;, ''Kokusai Puroresu Kogyō'') was a professional wrestling promotion in Japan from 1966 to 1981. Founded by Isao Yoshihara, it was affiliated with the American Wrestling Association ...
, before returning to AJPW in December 1978. In October 1979, he was sent abroad to Puerto Rico for
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council (WWC) (Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha"), is a Puerto-Rican professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón Sr., Victor J ...
. Under the name Mitsu Ishikawa, he won his first championship, the
WWC North American Tag Team Championship
The WWC North American Tag Team Championship was a major tag team championship that was used and defended in Capitol Sports Promotions. It is sometimes referred to as the WWC North American Tag Team Championship, though this isn't entirely accu ...
with
Haru Sonoda
also known under the ring names and , was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was a former NWA Western States Tag Team Champion, NWA/WWC North American Tag Team Champion with Mitsu Ishikawa and the WCCW All Asia Tag Team Championship with t ...
. In March 1980, he would briefly return to Amarillo and won the
NWA Western States Tag Team Championship
The NWA International Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling title, originally created as the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship in the National Wrestling Alliance's Amarillo, Texas territory, Western States Sports. The title wa ...
with
Hugo Savinovich
Hugo Savinovich (born February 15, 1959) is an Ecuadorian sports commentator and retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and manager (professional wrestling), professional wrestling manager. He is currently signed to Lucha Libre AA ...
, before Savinovich left the area and was replaced by Sonoda, making Ishikawa a two-time champion.
In May 1980, Ishikawa would return to AJPW full-time. He would win five
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). It was created on November 16, 1955, in the Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) when King Kong Czaya and Tiger Joginder Singh defeated JWA founder ...
s, twice with
Akio Sato, once with
Ashura Hara
(January 8, 1947April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional wrestler, better known by his ring name .
Rugby career
Susumu Hara began his rugby career in high school, playing for the Agricultural High School in the Isahaya regi ...
, and twice with
Mighty Inoue
Sueo Inoue (born April 12, 1949), better known by the ring names Mighty Inoue () and All Mighty Inoue, is a Japanese professional wrestler and referee (professional wrestling), referee. He is best known for his appearances with International Wrest ...
, before retiring in December 1988. His last match with AJPW was held on December 16, teaming with Mighty Inoue in a victory over Motoshi Okuma and
Haruka Eigen
(January 11, 1946 – November 28, 2016) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was an executive director of Pro Wrestling Noah.
Sumo career
In July 1961, Haruka Eigen began wrestling as a sumo. He was part of the Tatsunami stable. He quit s ...
.
Super World Sports (1990–1992)
After a hiatus, Ishikawa returned to pro wrestling in September 1990 for
Super World Sports
Super World of Sports, more commonly known as SWS, was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1990 to 1992. Its motto was "Straight and Strong".
History Formation
In April 1990, Genichiro Tenryu, one of the top stars of All Japan Pro ...
, where he was part of
Genichiro Tenryu
, better known as is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his ...
's Revolution stable and was the booker for the promotion. He would also wrestle with stars in the
World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...
. Unfortunately in June 1992, SWS collapsed.
WAR (1992–1994)
After SWS's collapse, Ishikawa joined Tenryu in forming
WAR
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
. Soon after, the promotion was engaged in an inter-promotional war with
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
(NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares ...
. At NJPW's Fantastic Story at Tokyo Dome on January 4, 1993, he lost to
Tatsumi Fujinami
(born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE on a legend's contract. Fujinami is most well known for his long tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. H ...
. He would remain with WAR until September 1994. His last match with the promotion was on September 1, defeating Yamato.
Tokyo Pro Wrestling (1994–1998)
In December 1994, he formed Tokyo Pro Wrestling. While wrestling and running TPW, he would also make overtures to
Big Japan Pro Wrestling
(BJW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1995. It is most famous for its deathmatch style contests.
History
Big Japan Pro Wrestling was founded in March 1995 by former AJPW wrestlers Shinya Kojika and Kendo Nagasaki, ...
,
Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded on July 28, 1989, by Atsushi Onita as (FMW). The promotion specializes in hardcore wrestling involving weapons such as barbed wire and fire. They held their f ...
, Social Progress Wrestling Federation, Independent Wrestling Union, WAR, NJPW, and
IWA Japan. In April 1996, he would win the TPW Tag Team Championship with
Yoji Anjo
(born March 28, 1967) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.
Professional wrestling career
Universal Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1985–1988)
A former practitioner of judo, sumo and muay th ...
. In June 1997, he would win the
BJW Tag Team Championship
The is the top tag team title defended in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling. The championship has been the leading tag team championship in the promotion since 1997. There have been a total of 57 reigns shared ...
with
Kengo Kimura
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
Professional wrestling career
Japan Wrestling Association (1972–1973)
Kimura made his pr ...
. Although he retired from active competition on January 19, 1998, he did wrestle a few matches for BJW in January 1999.
Championship and accomplishments
*
All Japan Pro Wrestling
(AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established on October 21, 1972 when Giant Baba split away from the Japanese Wrestling Association and created his own promotion. Many wrestlers had left with Baba, ...
**
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). It was created on November 16, 1955, in the Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) when King Kong Czaya and Tiger Joginder Singh defeated JWA founder ...
(
5 times) - with
Akio Sato (2 times),
Ashura Hara
(January 8, 1947April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional wrestler, better known by his ring name .
Rugby career
Susumu Hara began his rugby career in high school, playing for the Agricultural High School in the Isahaya regi ...
(1 time) and
Mighty Inoue
Sueo Inoue (born April 12, 1949), better known by the ring names Mighty Inoue () and All Mighty Inoue, is a Japanese professional wrestler and referee (professional wrestling), referee. He is best known for his appearances with International Wrest ...
(2 times)
*
Big Japan Pro Wrestling
(BJW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1995. It is most famous for its deathmatch style contests.
History
Big Japan Pro Wrestling was founded in March 1995 by former AJPW wrestlers Shinya Kojika and Kendo Nagasaki, ...
**
BJW Tag Team Championship
The is the top tag team title defended in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling. The championship has been the leading tag team championship in the promotion since 1997. There have been a total of 57 reigns shared ...
(
1 time, inaugural) - with
Kengo Kimura
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known under the ring name and for his many years working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in Japan.
Professional wrestling career
Japan Wrestling Association (1972–1973)
Kimura made his pr ...
*''
Tokyo Sports
is a Japanese daily sports newspaper founded in 1960.
See also
* Tokyo Sports Film Award
* Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards
The are Japanese professional wrestling, or ''puroresu'', awards that have been handed out by the ''Tokyo Sports'' mag ...
''
**
Service Award
A Service award was awarded by a country to a soldier or civilian for long service. It is comparable to a service medal but can be awarded to civilians as well as soldiers.
Germany Kingdom of Bavaria
* Königliches Ludwigsorden for 50 years' ser ...
(1989)
*
Tokyo Pro Wrestling
Tokyo Pro Wrestling is the name of two unrelated Japanese professional wrestling promotions. Despite their common name, they did not share management, promotional style, or talent in any way.
Original Tokyo Pro Wrestling
The original Tokyo Pro W ...
**TWA Tag Team Championship - with
Yoji Anjo
(born March 28, 1967) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.
Professional wrestling career
Universal Wrestling Federation and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1985–1988)
A former practitioner of judo, sumo and muay th ...
(1 time)
[https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=3651 ]
*
Western States Sports
Western States Sports (also known as the Amarillo Territory) was a professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion headquartered in Amarillo, Texas in the United States. Founded by Dory Detton in 1946, the promotion enjoyed its ...
**
NWA Western States Tag Team Championship
The NWA International Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling title, originally created as the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship in the National Wrestling Alliance's Amarillo, Texas territory, Western States Sports. The title wa ...
(
2 times
"2 Times" is a song co-written and recorded by British Italian-based singer Ann Lee. It was released in 1999 as the lead single from her debut album, ''Dreams'' (1999). The single entered and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Outside ...
) - with
Hugo Savinovich
Hugo Savinovich (born February 15, 1959) is an Ecuadorian sports commentator and retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and manager (professional wrestling), professional wrestling manager. He is currently signed to Lucha Libre AA ...
(1 time) and
Haru Sonoda
also known under the ring names and , was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was a former NWA Western States Tag Team Champion, NWA/WWC North American Tag Team Champion with Mitsu Ishikawa and the WCCW All Asia Tag Team Championship with t ...
(1 time)
*
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council (WWC) (Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha"), is a Puerto-Rican professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón Sr., Victor J ...
**
WWC North American Tag Team Championship
The WWC North American Tag Team Championship was a major tag team championship that was used and defended in Capitol Sports Promotions. It is sometimes referred to as the WWC North American Tag Team Championship, though this isn't entirely accu ...
(
1 time) - with Haru Sonoda
Sumo career record
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishikawa, Takashi
1953 births
Living people
Japanese male professional wrestlers
Sportspeople from Yamagata Prefecture
Sumo people from Yamagata Prefecture
All Asia Tag Team Champions
BJW Tag Team Champions
20th-century professional wrestlers