Antonio Inoki

Muhammad Hussain Inoki^[3] (born Kanji Inoki (猪木寛至, Inoki Kanji) on February 20, 1943 – October 1, 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promoter, politician, and retired professional wrestler and martial artist, best known by his ring name Antonio Inoki. Inoki's ring name was a tribute to fellow professional wrestler Antonino Rocca.

Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki in December 2012
Birth name	Kanji Inoki 猪木寛至
Born	(1943-02-20)February 20, 1943[1] Yokohama, Japan[2]
Died	October 1, 2022(2022-10-01) (aged 79) Tokyo, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Antonio Inoki Moeru Toukon Tokyo Tom Little Tokyo The Kamikaze Kazimoto Killer Inoki
Billed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Billed weight	224 lb (102 kg)[2]
Billed from	Tokyo, Japan
Trained by	Rikidōzan Karl Gotch
Debut	September 30, 1960
Retired	April 4, 1998[2]

Inoki began his professional wrestling career in the Japanese Wrestling Association (JWA) under the tutelage of Rikidōzan. Inoki quickly became one of the most popular stars in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.

In 1989, Inoki entered Japanese politics as he was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors and as part of his first term with the House of Councillors successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of Japanese hostages. He retired from politics in 1995, but was re-elected in 2013. On October 1, 2022, at age 79, Inoki died from systemic transthyretin amyloidosis.^[4][5][6]