Following on from previous JAPANESE Visitors to our Shores in the 1960's like SHOZO
KOBAYASHI and PAUL LINCOLN'S Stable of ORIENTAL 'MENACES'-In 1973/1974
another Wrestler from the Land of the Rising Sun appeared in our Rings-GORO TANAKA!
Probably a LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT-He had a 'mixed' Record and hardly took BRITISH
Wrestling 'by storm'!
Sporting the BANZAI Head Bandanna-later 'adopted' by ROLLERBALL ROCCO-GORO
also Featured in Tag Team Matches!
My Wrestling Flyer-to follow-includes his mean-looking Photo-and Features him Topping
the Bill against the Great COUNT BARTELLI on MONDAY DECEMBER 3RD 1973 at the
MUSIC HALL SHREWSBURY!
By most accounts his 'Look' was worse than his 'Bite' though!-Does Anyone remember
seeing TANAKA?-Flyer/Photo to follow!
MAIN MASK
His advertised partner was Hiroshiro Yagi who did not come over so Tanaka found himself booked primarily in tag bouts with a wide variety of replacement partners. I recall seeing him at a Morrell and Beresford show at The De Montfort Hall, Leicester, where he was partnered by Bobo Matu against Bert Royal and Vic Faulkner. I recall it being a fast-moving, skilful affair with the heavier Matu wrestling like a lightweight on this occasion. I recall Tanaka being monkey-climbed by Bert Royal and a ringside wag calling out, "There's a nip in the air tonight!"