Photo: shiori.k on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) / CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Okay, Riki Chōshū is one of those guys where the legend just radiates off him. He came up the hard way, a real amateur wrestler with actual pedigree who went through college before ever stepping into the pro ring, and you can feel that earned toughness in everything he did. To me he's pure intimidation made flesh, those heavy brows and that glare that could pin you to your seat without a single word. But here's the thing I love: this fearsome 184cm wall of a man turned out to be weirdly charming and a little goofy in his later years, and that gap is irresistible. His odd turns of phrase keep getting passed around online like inside jokes that refuse to die. A genuine icon of Japanese wrestling history who somehow also became everyone's lovable, deadpan uncle.
Overview
Riki Chōshū is a legendary Japanese professional wrestler born on December 3, 1951, in Tokuyama (now Shunan), Yamaguchi Prefecture. He built a foundation in amateur wrestling before attending Senshu University, then went on to become one of the most iconic figures in Japanese professional wrestling history. Standing 184 cm tall, he was known for his intense ring presence and distinctive catchphrases that remain beloved in Japanese pop culture. He is an inductee of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Riki Chōshū
- Name (Japanese)
- 長州力
- Reading
- ちょうしゅう りき
- Born
- December 3, 1951 (age 74)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Rabbit (卯)
- Origin
- Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
- Height
- 184cm
- Occupation
- Professional Wrestler / Amateur Wrestler
2. Background
- University
- Senshu University
Awards & achievements
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (year unknown)
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Official sitehttp://choshuriki.com/
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rikichoshu/
- Xhttps://x.com/rikichannel1203
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%95%B7%E5%B7%9E%E5%8A%9B
Frequently asked questions
When was Riki Chōshū born?
Born December 3, 1951 (age 74).
Where is Riki Chōshū from?
Riki Chōshū is from Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
What does Riki Chōshū do?
Riki Chōshū works as Professional Wrestler, Amateur Wrestler.
How tall is Riki Chōshū?
Riki Chōshū is 184cm.
Professional Wrestler — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
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.