Other Martial Art Practitioners

[arghton 6,119]

On 29/04/2021 at 21:35, arghton said:

Martial art school founders:

Steve Arneil (1934-2021) International Federation of Karate founder

Leo Fong (1928-2022) Wei Kuen Do founder

Mutsusuke Harada (1928-2021) KDS founder

Kim Yoon-sang (1934-2021?) Hapki yusul founder

Kim Bok Man (1934-2021) Taekwondo pioneer

Glenn Keeney (1942-2021) PKC founder

Jong Soo Park (1941-2021) Another Korea Taekwon-Do founder

Updated for the deaths of Steve Arneil, Leo Fong, Mutsusuke Harada, Kim Yoon-sang, Kim Bok Man, Glenn Keeney and Jong Soo Park.

 

Steve Arneil died in London on the 2nd of July 2021 at 86.

Mitsusuke Harada MBE died in Cwmbran, South Wales on the 26th of February 2021 at 92 but his death wasn't confirmed before May.

Kim Yoon-sang died in 2021 according to Wikipedia, haven't found anything else reporting this though.

Kim Bok Man died in West Orange, New Jersey at 86 on the 14th of August 2021. There are no sources on his wikipedia page for it but this confirms it.

Glenn Keeney died on the 18th of November 2021 at 79: https://blackbeltmag.com/glen-keeney

Park Jong-soo died on the 27th of November 2021 at 79/80: https://itftkd.sport/blog/in-memory-of-grand-master-park-jong-soo/

[Ulitzer95 11,001]

On 29/04/2021 at 19:35, arghton said:

*snip*

 

JUDO:

List of Kōdōkan 10th dan of Judo

Toshiro Daigo (1926-2021)

Ichiro Abe (born 1922)

Yoshimi Osawa (born 1926)

Ichiro Abe dead at 99.

[arghton 6,119]

On 29/04/2021 at 21:35, arghton said:

List of alive prominent Sumo wrestlers who debuted before 1970 (40s and prior are all dead):

 

50s

January 1957 - Kitanofuji Katsuaki (born 1942) Yokozuna

 

On 29/04/2021 at 21:35, arghton said:

60s

May 1960 - Toyokuni Susumu (born 1937)

According to his Japanese wiki, Toyokuni Susumu died in February at 84.

 

Found this video of Kitanofuji Katsuaki from last year:

Looked amazing for a 79-year-old former sumo wrestler here.

[alt obits guy 3,094]

Wakanohana Kanji II, a Japanese sumo wrestler and the 56th Yokozuna, has died.  He was 69. Mentioned several places in the DeathList Forums.

 

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202207180000273.html

(Japanese language obit)

[wannamaker 1,067]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Leando Lo dead after being shot in the head

[Grim Up North 3,565]

2 hours ago, wannamaker said:

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Leando Lo dead after being shot in the head

I’ve got that scene out of Indiana Jones in my head.

[arghton 6,119]

On 29/04/2021 at 21:35, arghton said:

March 1964 - Takamiyama Daigoro (born 1944, also first 200kg+ sumo wrestler) and Aobajo Yukio (born 1948)

Not dead, but here's a recent interview of sumo wrestler Takamiyama Daigoro/Jesse James Wailani Kuhaulua who trained Akebono Taro:

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202207010000740.html

He looks fine for a 78-year-old in that picture and seems healthy.

[Ulitzer95 11,001]

On 29/04/2021 at 19:35, arghton said:

A thread for the wrestlers and martial artists that don't fit in Wrestlers/actors (thread for wrestler-actors, WWE etc.) and the Boxing Clever? threads.

*snip*

List of Kōdōkan 10th dan of Judo

Toshiro Daigo (1926-2021)

Ichiro Abe (1922-2022)

Yoshimi Osawa (born 1926)

*snip*

Yoshimi Osawa (wiki) dead from pneumonia at 96.

[arghton 6,119]

7 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Yoshimi Osawa (wiki) dead from pneumonia at 96.

So that's all the remaining 10th Kōdōkan Dans of Judo dead within one year and a month. He's a Knockout Derby hit for CaptainChorizo. (And a 20/20 +2 miss as in August I did the amazing decision of replacing him with someone who will never die)

[drol 10,046]

On 29/04/2021 at 20:35, arghton said:

A thread for the wrestlers and martial artists that don't fit in Wrestlers/actors (thread for wrestler-actors, WWE etc.) and the Boxing Clever? threads.

 

 

Here are lists of some of these, posted before in Wrestlers/actors:

 

List of alive prominent Sumo wrestlers who debuted before 1970 (40s and prior are all dead):

 

50s

January 1950 - Haguroyama Sojo (1934-2021)

January 1952 - Oikawa Teruhisa (born 1936)

May 1952 - Wakakoma Kenzo (1937-2019?) and Kanenohana Takeo (1936-Unknown)

March 1953 - Wakanokuni Takeo (born 1936)

May 1953 - Kiminishiki Toshimasa (1937-2013)

March 1954 - Myobudani Kiyoshi (born 1937)

March 1955 - Wakatenryu Yuzo (born 1940)

May 1955 - Okanoyama Yoshiro (born 1935)

March 1956 - Daimonji Kenji (born 1940)

May 1956 - Daiyu Tatsumi (born 1940) and Tensuiyama Masanori (born 1940)

September 1956 - Sawahikari Yukio (born 1941) and Kiyokuni Katsuo (born 1941)

January 1957 - Kitanofuji Katsuaki (born 1942) Yokozuna

November 1957 - Wakamiyama Kohei (born 1943)

May 1958 - Hanahikari Setsuo (born 1940)

March 1959 - Asaarashi Daizaburo (born 1943)

May 1959 - Yoshinohana Masaki (born 1943)

July 1959 - Shiratayama Hidetoshi (born 1943)

 

60s

March 1960 - Hasegawa Katsutoshi (born 1944) and Arashiyama Jiro (born 1943)

May 1960 - Toyokuni Susumu (1937-2022)

September 1960 - Futagoryu Isao (born 1941)

November 1960 - Tochiazuma Tomoyori (born 1944)

January 1961 - Dairyugawa Kazuo (born 1946) and Futagodake Takeshi (born 1943)

March 1961 - Yutakayama Katsuo (born 1937)

May 1961 - Fujinokawa Takeo (born 1946)

January 1962 - Oshio Kenji (born 1948)

May 1962 - Maruyama Takahiko (born 1946)

March 1963 - Fujizakura Yoshimori (born 1948) and Tochiisami Yoshiharu (born 1947)

July 1963 - Asahikuni Masuo (born 1947), Asanoburi Toshimitsu (born 1948) and Yokozuna Mienoumi (born 1948)

December 1963 - Genichiro Tenryu (born 1950)

March 1964 - Takamiyama Daigoro (born 1944, also first 200kg+ sumo wrestler) and Aobajo Yukio (born 1948)

May 1964 - Tamakiyama Masanori (born 1951), Wakajishi Shigenori (born 1948) and Teruzakura Hiroyuki (born 1947)

July 1964 - Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (born 1948)

March 1965 - Yoshioyama Osamu (born 1949) and Daiju Hisateru (born 1950)

September 1965 - Kaiki Nobuhide (born 1952)

January 1966 - Kurosegawa Kuniyuki (born 1951)

March 1966 - Chiyozakura Teruo (born 1950)

May 1966 - Daigo Kenshi (born 1952)

November 1966 - Banryuyama Takaharu (born 1951)

January 1967 - Masuiyama Daishiro II (born 1948)

March 1967 - Washuyama Yoshikazu (born 1949)

May 1967 - Kirinji Kazuharu (1953-2021), Tamanofuji Shigeru (1949-2021) and Kotonofuji Muneyoshi (born 1951)

November 1967 - Kotogatake Koichi (born 1952)

March 1968 - Daihi Susumu (born 1952)

May 1968 - Onishiki Ittetsu (born 1953)

July 1968 - Yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji II (1953-2022)

November 1968 - Taiko Yoshio (born 1953)

March 1969 - Hidanohana Shigeyoshi (born 1953)

 

Debuted in 1970

March 1970 - Tamaryu Daizo (born 1954)

May 1970 - Hoshiiwato Yuji (born 1955)

 

Alive Yokozuna:

 

52 Kitanoji Katsuaki (born 1942) Became Yokozuna in 1970, still a commentator as of 2021. Mentioned above.

56 Wakanohana Kanji II (1953-2022) Became Yokozuna in 1978, left the Japan Sumo Association in 2013 due to poor health. Mentioned above.

57 Mienoumi Tsuyoshi (born 1948) Became Yokozuna in 1979. Now a director of a Sumo Museum in Tokyo. Mentioned above.

61 Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (born 1963) Became Yokozuna in 1987, retired in 1992 at age 28 due to injuries. Now the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association.

62 Onokuni Yasushi (born 1962) Became Yokozuna in 1987. Has had a ton of health problems including sleep apnea and leg problems, retired early but came back and retired again.

63 Asahifuji Seiya (born 1960) Became Yokozuna in 1990, retired in 1992 due to pancreas problems. Still a coach.

64 Akebono Taro (born 1969) Became Yokozuna in 1993, retired in 2001. Once weighted 233kg/514lb, has heart problems and unable to walk.

65 Takanohana Koji (born 1972) Became Yokozuna in 1994, retired in 2003. Has had liver issues and illnesses but one of the most healthiest people on this list.

66 Masaru Wakanohana Hanada (born 1971) Became Yokozuna in 1998, retired 2000. Older brother of Takanohana Koji and unlike him, hasn't lost as much weight.

67 Musashimaru Koyo (born 1971) Became Yokozuna in 1999, retired in 2003. A few kilograms heavier than Akebono Taro and has a kidney transplant. Now a staple owner.

68 Asashoryu Akinori (born 1980) Became Yokozuna in 2003, forced to retire in 2010. Has/had acute stress disorder and dissociative disorder, also a millionaire.

69 Hakuho Sho (born 1985) Became Yokozuna in 2007, still active. Was hospitalized in january due to COVID.

70 Harumafuji Kohei (born 1984) Became Yokozuna in 2012, career ended in 2017 when he assaulted another wrestler.

71 Kakuryu Rikisaburo (born 1985) Became Yokozuna in 2014, still active.

72 Kisenosato Yutaka (born 1986) Became Yokozuna in 2017, retired in 2019 due to injuries.

73 Terunofuji Haruo (born 1991) Became Yokozuna in 2021

 

 

Ones that have died since 2016: 49 Tochinoumi Teruyoshi (1938-2021), 50 Sadanoyama (1938-2017), 54 Hiroshi Wajima (1948-2018), 58 Chiyonofuji Mitsugu (1955-2016) and 60 Koji Kitao (1963-2019)

 

 

Alive rijichōs of the Japan Sumo Association:

1998-2002 Yutakayama Katsuo (born 1937)

2008-2010 Mienoumi Tsuyoshi (born 1948) 57th Yokozuna

2015-present Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (born 1963) 61st Yokozuna

 

 

Heaviest Sumo fighters alive as of 9.4.2021

1. Orora Satoshi (born 1983) 288kg/635lb, career 2000-2018

2. Konishiki Yasokichi (born 1963) 287kg/633lb, career 1982-1997

3. Yamamotouama Ryuta (born 1984) 265kg/584lb, career 2007-2011, appeared in this music video a while ago.

 

 

A suprisingly large amount of 50s sumo wrestlers are still alive.

 

 

Other Wrestlers:

 

JUDO:

 

10th dan, National Governing Body or Continental Union

Yi Bang-geun (born 1924)

 

Can't find anything about him. More info?

[arghton 6,119]

5 minutes ago, drol said:

Can't find anything about him. More info?

Well I've been annoyed about his case a while too. He's mentioned, unsourced, on this wikipedia page, "Yi Bang-geun (Korea/USA, 1924–) (his surname is also sometimes spelled Lee), KJA 10th dan, January 2010."

 

Lots of people on the list are minor names,I wouldn't be suprised if half of the 50s/60s professional sumo wrestlers are dead.

[arghton 6,119]

On 29/04/2021 at 21:35, arghton said:

Alive Yokozuna:

 

52 Kitanofuji Katsuaki (born 1942) Became Yokozuna in 1970, still a commentator as of 2021. Mentioned above.

...

62 Onokuni Yasushi (born 1962) Became Yokozuna in 1987. Has had a ton of health problems including sleep apnea and leg problems, retired early but came back and retired again.

...

Kitanofuji Katsuaki a few days ago:

He has some heart problems and mobility problems, but (still) absolutely amazing for a 80-year-old ex-sumo wrestler, average life expectancy of a sumo wrestler is something around 55 to 65 and as far as I know no professional sumo wrestler has ever made it to 90. Still works as a commentator.

 

Ōnokuni Yasushi a couple of months ago:

Can you believe this guy is 20 years younger than the previous one?

[arghton 6,119]

Highest sumo referee 2011-2013 Kimura Shōnosuke XXXVI (Japanese wiki) dead at 74 from lung cancer. His successor Kimura Shōnosuke XXXVII died from an interstitial lung disease earlier this year at 72.

 

Multiple of his predecessors are still alive aged 76 and over, by far the oldest and earliest one being 1977-1990 Kimura Shōnosuke XXVII (Japanese wiki) who'll be 97 in a week, that's 250 for a sumo personality. 

 

 

Edit: So the two latest holders of the title are dead. There are no successors to Kimura Shōnosuke XXXVII. However multiple of the old ones live:

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXVII 27, 1977-1990 (3 Dec 1925)

Possibly the oldest Sumo personality ever. Interviewed in 2015.

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXIX 29, 1995-2001 (26 Mar 1936)

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXX 30, 2001-2003 (1 Feb 1938) 

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXXI 31, 2003-2005 (3 Dec 1940)

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXXII 32, 2006 (13 Feb 1941)

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXXIII 33, 2006-2007 (28 Apr 1942) 

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXXIV 34, 2007-2008 (21 Apr 1943) 

As far as I know not in best health.

 

Kimura Shōnosuke XXXV 35, 2008-2011 (29 Oct 1946)

Apparently relatively healthy, but according to articles a cancer survivor, very thin and looks like a different person nowadays than in the picture above.

[YoungWillz 19,020]

President of the US Aikido Federation, Yoshimitsu Yamada dead, reported by his website aged 84: http://www.aikido-yamada.eu/

[arghton 6,119]

On 15/11/2022 at 20:39, arghton said:

Kitanofuji Katsuaki a few days ago:

He has some heart problems and mobility problems, but (still) absolutely amazing for a 80-year-old ex-sumo wrestler, average life expectancy of a sumo wrestler is something around 55 to 65 and as far as I know no professional sumo wrestler has ever made it to 90. Still works as a commentator.

"Sumo ancient" Kitanofuji Katsuaki hospitalised according to his new column (half of it seems to be about him not being a big fan of baseball, now popular in Japan), not mentioned what his ailment is but sounds like he's been there for a while. Now improving and likely to be discharged soon. Too ill to travel to Osaka for the sumo tournament held there but hopes he'll bounce back.

[arghton 6,119]

On 15/03/2023 at 00:09, arghton said:

"Sumo ancient" Kitanofuji Katsuaki hospitalised according to his new column (half of it seems to be about him not being a big fan of baseball, now popular in Japan), not mentioned what his ailment is but sounds like he's been there for a while. Now improving and likely to be discharged soon. Too ill to travel to Osaka for the sumo tournament held there but hopes he'll bounce back.

Kitanofuji Katsuaki discharged (mentions it in the later part of the column) and "will focus on training his legs" now.

 

Looking at the Sumo Wrestlers list on page 1 I think more of the ones who'd be over 80 now have died off-radar decades ago. The JSA (Japan Sumo Association) has been very bad at lots of stuff but also they haven't kept track of who's alive at all. There are tens of semi-professional sumo wrestlers with pages on the Japanese wikipedia born in the 1920s and 1930s who've likely died over 40 years ago, unfortunately most probably in poverty.

 

 

Therefore here is a - this time proper - list of Sumo personalities over 83. List has only those that are known to have been alive during the last 10 years. Might add younger names later, but they're keeping better track of the under-80s.

 

1925 - Kimura Shōnosuke XXVII (Highest Sumo referee 1977-1990. Last interviewed in 2015, but should be still very much alive and recently outlived one of his successors.)

 

1926 - Tsuneo Watanabe (Major newspaper executive, political influencer, baseball club owner who's in Japan called "Dictator of the world of baseball". Was a member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 1991-2005 and President/Chair 2001-2003.)

 

1929 - Haruhiko Suzuki (TBS Radio, Nippon TV announcer, major sumo radio announcer.)

 

1930 - Kunihiro Sugiyama (NHK's sumo announcer for decades, also covered 1964 and 1968 Olympics and horse racing. Has still made appearances on NHK in recent years.)

 

1931 - Yoji Yamada (Major film director. Sumo connection is that he was a member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 2004-2014.)

 

1934 - Shigeo Fukuchi (Former NHK Chairman with major involvement in the Japan Sumo Association. Member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 2009-2010.) Katsuji Ebisawa (Former NHK chair, Member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 1999-2009, President/Chair 2007-2009.)

 

1935 - Masataka Ide (Controversial former Chairman of the West Japan Railway Company. Member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 2005-2010) 

 

1936 - Kimura Shōnosuke XXIX (These types don't usually die off-radar)

 

1937 - Yutakayama Katsuo (Sumo professional wrestler more known as Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association 1998-2002. His sumo career lasted from 1961 to 1968. Has still made appearances in recent years.) Myōbudani Kiyoshi (Oldest known sumo professional still 100% alive. Main career from 1954 to 1969, sumo elder for eight years until 1977 when he left to become a Jehova's witness. Interviewed around 2013, said to be alive and well in 2023. Known especially for his "slight" build, uncommon in sumo.) Ryōki Sugita (Journalist, businessman. Former Nikkei CEO and President and former President of the Japan National Press Club. Member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council 2013-2023.)

 

1938 - Kimura Shōnosuke XXX (See XXIX)

 

 

Matsuoka Gantetsu is an annoying case. Turned to pro wrestling after his sumo career, worked with Great Kojika, Giant Baba and Danny Hodge but is said to have completely disappeared somewhere around the 1970s.

[drol 10,046]

Fumio Demura, who served as an inspiration for Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi, dead at 84.

[alt obits guy 3,094]

Robson Gracie, a noted member of the legendary Gracie family of BJJ practitioners, has died. He was 88. Gracie was a 9th degree black belt in the discipline. 

 

https://jitsmagazine.com/robson-gracie-passes-away-at-88/

[diego 1,822]

Felipe Colares died aged 29 on May 1 at the age of 29 hit by a bus, Professional since 2013, he competed mainly for the Ultimate Fighting Championship

https://www.mmanews.com/news/ufc-veteran-felipe-colares-dead-after-being-hit-by-bus-in-brazil

[arghton 6,119]

On 15/03/2023 at 00:09, arghton said:

"Sumo ancient" Kitanofuji Katsuaki hospitalised according to his new column (half of it seems to be about him not being a big fan of baseball, now popular in Japan), not mentioned what his ailment is but sounds like he's been there for a while. Now improving and likely to be discharged soon. Too ill to travel to Osaka for the sumo tournament held there but hopes he'll bounce back.

Kitanofuji Katsuaki too ill to do commentary, columns now and from what I understand suffering from very serious heart problems. As far as I know all the mentions on his health since March or April have been given by his reps.

[arghton 6,119]

San Kim Sean, Cambodian who revived ancient martial art Bokator, hospitalised and "deteriorating daily".

 

Edit: He's said to have died.

[arghton 6,119]

On 26/11/2022 at 19:19, arghton said:

Kimura Shōnosuke XXVII 27, 1977-1990 (3 Dec 1925)

Possibly the oldest Sumo personality ever. Interviewed in 2015.

Kimura Shōnosuke XXVII, highest-ranking sumo referee 1977-1990, died in June at 97. He was active in sumo wrestling from 1935 and was at the time of his death the last pre-war sumo "figure"

[arghton 6,119]

On 11/07/2023 at 03:05, arghton said:

Kitanofuji Katsuaki too ill to do commentary, columns now and from what I understand suffering from very serious heart problems. As far as I know all the mentions on his health since March or April have been given by his reps.

Yokozuna Kitanofuji Katsuaki taking another "complete" break from sumo commentary, there's been some rumors going around on twitter and facebook that he's been critically ill for more than a month now. 

[diego 1,822]

Asashio Tarō IV was born in Muroto, Kōchi, Japan and died at age 67 on November 2 of small intestine cancer. He was a sumo wrestler, former amateur champion, turned professional in 1978. He won a first division championship and was runner-up on four other occasions. He has won fourteen special awards, including a record ten Outstanding Performance Awards, and five gold stars for defeating yokozuna

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202311030001566.html

[YoungWillz 19,020]

On 28/04/2023 at 12:53, drol said:

Fumio Demura, who served as an inspiration for Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi, dead at 84.

Reports coming in that Pat E Johnson, Tang Soo Do practitioner and Hollywood martial arts choreographer, has died: 

Appearing in The Karate Kid movies as Chief Referee, also worked on Enter The Dragon, Wild Wild West and the Teenage Mutant Teenage Turtles movies.

 

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0425944/