Riki Chōshū

Infobox Wrestler
name = Riki Chōshū
names = Riki Chōshū
Yoshida ( Real name Kwak Gwang-ung


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debut = August 8, 1974
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Mitsuo Yoshida (吉田光雄 "Kwak Gwang-ung", born December 3, 1951), better known by his stage name Riki Chōshū(長州力 "Chōshū Riki"), is a Korean Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a wrestler and a booker. He is considered one of the most influential wrestlers in Japan in the '80s and '90s and known as the first wrestler to popularize the Sasori-Gatame, better known in English as "Scorpion Deathlock" or "Sharpshooter".

After Mitsuo left New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002, he formed "Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling(WJ)", which is now known as "Riki Pro" as he is the promoter of the promotion. In October 2005, he returned to New Japan as a site foreman, a booker, and a part-time wrestler.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Sasori-Gatame" ("Translated to Scorpion Hold in English") - Innovated
**Lariat
**Belly to back suplex

Championships and accomplishments

*All Japan Pro Wrestling
**NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Yoshiaki Yatsu
**PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
**WMG Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Genichiro Tenryu
*New Japan Pro Wrestling
**Greatest 18 Championship (1 time) (First)
**IWGP Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
**IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Masa Saito (1), Takashi Iizuka (1), and Kensuke Sasaki (1)
**NWA North American Tag Team Championship "(Japan version)" (1 time) - with Seiji Sakaguchi (Last)
**WWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**G1 Climax (1996)
**Super Grade Tag League (1992) – with Shinya Hashimoto
**World Cup Tournament winner in 1989
*Universal Wrestling Association
**UWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**UWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Gran Hamada (First)
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI ranked him #30 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
**Best Booker (1992)
**Promoter of the Year (1995-1997)
**Wrestler of the Year (1987)
**Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

Trivia

*He is of Korean descent, and participated in the 1972 Summer Olympics as a South Korean wrestling representative. His Korean name is Kwak Kwang-ung.
*The name "Riki Chōshū" means "Strength of Chōshū", the Edo Period name for Yamaguchi Prefecture.
*His nickname is "Kakumei Senshi (Fighter of Revolution)".
*In the mid-1970's Choshu was sent to North America to gain experience. Wrestling under his real name, Yoshida appeared in George Cannon's "Superstars of Wrestling" promotion as a heel, managed by Superstar (or Supermouth) Dave Drasen. Yoshida would have a brief feud with the then face of Cannon's promotion, Luis Martinez.
*Chōshū was the first "traitor heel" in a Japanese promotion. In 1983, upset at not being selected for the inaugural tournament for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, he turned on Tatsumi Fujinami during a match and formed his own stable, Ishin-gun (Revolutionary Army), which was the core for the later Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion that "invaded" All Japan Pro Wrestling.
*In recent, a comedian and Chōshū mimic Koriki Chōshū appeared and became popular in Japan. Since many young people don't know Riki Chōshū, Koriki made him famous with a new audience. A DDT (Dramatic Dream Team) wrestler called Riki Senshu also mimics Chōshū.
*Choshu's theme song, "Power Hall", was composed by Susumu Hirasawa

References

* [http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/rikichosu.html Profile at bodyslamming.com]