Tomomi Tsuruta

Tomomi Tsuruta was All-Japan heavyweight champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman in 1971-72 but failed to win a match at the 1972 Olympics. He then turned professional and had one of the longest, most successful careers in Japanese professional wrestling. At his death, the Japanese press called him the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling.

After turning pro Tsuruta was sent to Amarillo, Texas for training where he became a favorite of American crowds. On his return to Japan he was known as Jumbo Tsuruta, and his 26-year career saw him contest 3,329 bouts. His titles with All-Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) included three Triple Crown Heavyweight Championships, the NWA International Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National Championship (five times), and the PWF World Heavyweight Championship. He also claimed multiple tag team titles.

Tsuruta had health problems for the last years of his life. He was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 1992, and after that wrestled only exhibition or comedic matches. He retired in 1999 but was soon thereafter diagnosed with kidney cancer, and died shortly after a kidney transplant in 2000.