Photo: Ogiyoshisan / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Antonio Inoki was a politician, professional wrestler and writer, born on February 20, 1943 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Death is recorded on October 1, 2022, at the age of 79. Awards on record include WWE Hall of Fame, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon and 1 more. The listed height was 191 cm.
My Take
Antonio Inoki was larger than wrestling itself, and that's why he fascinates me. He didn't just found New Japan Pro-Wrestling and run it for over three decades; he treated the ring as a stage for spectacle, diplomacy, and pure force of will. The man wrestled Muhammad Ali, won a seat in Japan's parliament, and flew into conflict zones to free hostages. Some of it was theater, some of it was genuine courage, and I think Inoki blurred that line on purpose. His passing in 2022 closed a singular chapter. To me he embodied fighting spirit as a complete philosophy of life.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Antonio Inoki
- Name (Japanese)
- アントニオ猪木
- Reading
- あんとにお猪木
- Born
- February 20, 1943 – October 1, 2022
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Goat
- Origin
- Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Height
- 191 cm
- Occupation
- politician / professional wrestler / writer / actor / martial artist
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- WWE Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
- The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
- Order of Friendship, 1st class
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Antonio Inoki born?
Born February 20, 1943.
When did Antonio Inoki die?
Died October 1, 2022, aged 79.
Where was Antonio Inoki from?
Antonio Inoki was from Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
What did Antonio Inoki do?
Antonio Inoki worked as politician, professional wrestler, writer, actor, martial artist.
How tall was Antonio Inoki?
Antonio Inoki was 191 cm.
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