Photo: Unknown photographer / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Rikidōzan is one of those figures whose cultural weight dwarfs his statistics. A sumo wrestler turned pro wrestler, he became the symbol of postwar Japanese resilience, his televised matches giving a recovering nation someone to rally behind. The Korean-born background he kept private adds a poignant layer to his myth. What strikes me most is how he essentially invented the television sports hero in Japan, dead far too young at 39 yet permanently enshrined in multiple halls of fame. I respect him less as an athlete than as a catalyst who gave millions a reason to feel proud again.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Rikidōzan
- Name (Japanese)
- 力道山
- Reading
- 不明
- Born
- November 14, 1924 – December 15, 1963
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Scorpio / Rat
- Origin
- Hongwon County, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 175 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- rikishi / actor / professional wrestler / catch trainer / amateur wrestler
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- WWE Hall of Fame
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%9B%E9%81%93%E5%B1%B1
Frequently asked questions
When was Rikidōzan born?
November 14, 1924 – December 15, 1963.
Where is Rikidōzan from?
Rikidōzan is from Hongwon County, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea.
What does Rikidōzan do?
Rikidōzan works as rikishi, actor, professional wrestler, catch trainer, amateur wrestler.
How tall is Rikidōzan?
Rikidōzan is 175 cm.
Actor — see all → · More people from North Korea →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.