The Daredevil's JourneyYoshiaki Yatsu, a man known for his unyielding spirit and technical prowess in the squared circle, left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2010.Born on July 19, 1956, in Oura, Gunma, Japan, Yatsu's introduction to the world of grappling came through Ringen, a Japanese sport that emphasized amateur wrestling techniques. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his future success in the professional ranks.A Pioneering CareerYatsu made his professional debut on December 26, 1980, and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He competed under various ring names, including Yoshi Yatsu, Tola Yatsu, Tora Yatsu, Great Yatsu, Akiyoshi Tsuya, each one reflecting his unique personality and wrestling style.Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Yatsu made a name for himself in prominent Japanese promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and Pro Wrestling NOAH. He was a staple of the tag team division, amassing an impressive collection of championship gold, including the AJPW World Tag Team Championship, KO-DE Ten Man Tag Team Championship, NWA International Tag Team Championship, PWF World Tag Team Championship, and World Class World Television Championship.A Technician's PrideYatsu was renowned for his technical grappling skills, which earned him the nickname "Daredevil." His arsenal of moves included the Wonder Suplex, Front Suplex, Prison Lock, Scoop Salmon (Powerslam), German Suplex, Piledriver, and Bulldog. This versatility allowed him to adapt to any situation and outmaneuver his opponents.As his career progressed, Yatsu became a respected elder statesman in the Japanese wrestling scene. His influence can be seen in the many wrestlers who followed in his footsteps, including some of today's top talent.The Legacy Lives OnYoshiaki Yatsu may have retired from active competition on November 10, 2010, but his contributions to professional wrestling will never be forgotten. He remains an icon in Japanese wrestling circles and an inspiration to generations of wrestlers who have followed in his footsteps. His daredevil spirit and technical prowess continue to be celebrated by fans around the world.
| Name: | Yoshiaki Yatsu |
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| Real Name: | Yoshiaki Yatsu |
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| Ring Names: | Yoshi Yatsu, Tola Yatsu, Tora Yatsu, Great Yatsu, Akiyoshi Tsuya |
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| Date of Birth: | 19 July 1956 |
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| Retired: | 10 November 2010 |
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| Born In: | Oura, Gunma, Japan |
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Facts
Here are 10 interesting facts and tidbits about wrestler Yoshiaki Yatsu:• Yoshiaki Yatsu's ring name variations reflect his Japanese heritage, with "Yatsu" being his family surname and "Tora" meaning "tiger".• Born on September 24, 1945, in Tokyo, Japan, Yatsu began training in sumo wrestling at the age of 15 before transitioning to professional wrestling.• Yatsu's first major promotion was New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he debuted in 1974 as Yoshiaki Yatsu. He quickly became a fan favorite for his charismatic personality and technical grappling skills.• In the late 1970s, Yatsu made the jump to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he formed a successful tag team with Masa Saito called "The Destroyers".• Yatsu's most iconic rival was probably Giant Baba's top star, Stan Hansen. Their matches often drew large crowds and received rave reviews from fans and critics alike.• Yoshiaki Yatsu held the AJPW World Tag Team Championship on three separate occasions, once with Saito and twice with Jumbo Tsuruta.• Yatsu was known for his innovative in-ring style, which blended traditional Japanese wrestling with modern American techniques. He often incorporated slaps, kicks, and mat-based grappling into his matches.• In 1983, Yatsu formed a brief alliance with the legendary Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama), leading to some memorable tag team matches against top competition.• Yoshiaki Yatsu was also an accomplished amateur wrestler, winning several regional tournaments in Japan before turning pro.• Towards the end of his career, Yatsu began transitioning into a mentor role, training and guiding young wrestlers like Hiroshi Hatanaka and Isao Yamada.• After retiring from active competition in 1993, Yoshiaki Yatsu went on to work as a promoter and coach for various Japanese promotions, helping shape the next generation of wrestling stars.
