I don’t know if this is allowed but my dad wrestled under this name (and I think Dr. Hiro Ota) in the 1960s-1980s and I was hoping for any pictures or information regarding his wrestling days. I know he wrestled a lot in Europe. I thought I could ask him one day but he passed away suddenly and now I’m kicking myself trying to piece together what he did tell me. Anything would be greatly appreciate, thank you.
top of page
bottom of page
Here's the below enlarged;
2 From Ebay
Very sad news indeed. The following are few items from my collection. I do remember Mr.Yasu Fuji having a half dozen or so televised contests while working for Joint Promotions before leaving for the (non televised) Independent Circuit (probably for better pay). Commentator Kent Walton stated Mr.Fuji was ranked in the world top 10 during his stint with Joint. He was part of a successful tag team partnership with Canadian Mighty/Big John Quinn in the U.K and was Quinn's ring second during Quinn's challenge for the British version of the World Heavyweight Title. In a memorable televised contest against British Heavyweight Champion Tony St.Clair he thought he'd gained a 2-1 victory over the Champion only to have the fall disallowed for placing his feet on the ropes as leverage. Mr.Fuji then walked out of the contest. Another occasion Mr. Fuji delivered a chop to the head a restrained Big Daddy during a challenge by Big Daddy. Before each contest Mr.Fuji would go through the Sumo ceremony of stomping, bowing and salt throwing. Hope you find more mementos of your Dad.
BELOW - Taken from The Sun Newspaper 1980.
All below taken from RINGSPORT magazine.
I'm sorry to hear he passed away - this means that all five wrestlers from the headline matches of the three Wembley Arena shows 1979-1981 are sadly no longer with us.
I know I posted this recently to its own thread, but here is a documentary on the French Wrestling scene with Yasu Fuji in action in 1982:
I never saw him live but I do recall a TV bout in which he faced Pat Curry. He would trap Curry in a sort of choke hold and then slap his own hand which caused Kent Walton great consternation. He just couldn't understand what Fuji was hoping to achieve with such a move!
I think I am correct in saying that it was Yasu Fuji who advised Chris Adams to try his luck in the USA and gave him contacts in the Los Angeles Promotion (Mike and Gene LeBell).
have a look on cagematch.net you will see all the names he wrestled under and a lot of his matches are listed too as well as promotion and opponents.
Hope you enjoy these. click for a bigger image.
He may well be on YouTube.Worth a check.Good luck and best wishes.
Yes, indeed, Yasu Fuji toured the UK in 1980 - 1981, appearing several times on TV and working for Joint Promotions before moving over to the Independent Promoters.
I vividly remember him wrestling at Liverpool Stadium in June 1981. He played the role of the villain and was an excellent, skilful wrestler.
Best wishes to you and your family