Hoshino Kantarō
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| Hoshino Kantarō | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ring name(s) | Hoshino Kantarō Great Yamaha |
| Real name | Yeo Geon-bu Hoshino Takeo (Japanese name) |
| Billed height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Billed weight | 104 kg (230 lb; 16.4 st) |
| Born | 1943/10/9 Kōbe, Hyōgo |
| Died | 2010/11/25 (aged 67) |
| Shishō | Rikidōzan |
| Debut | 1961/12/22 |
| Retired | 1995/2/19 |
Hoshino Takeo (星野 建夫), better known as Hoshino Kantarō (星野 勘太郎 ), was a professional wrestler and promoter. He was a Japanese-born Korean, whose real name was Yeo Geon-bu (Hangul: 여건부; kanji: 呂建夫).
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Japan Pro-Wrestling Association
Hoshino was a boxer in high school years and after graduation, he moved to Tōkyō, hoping to be a professional boxer. However, because of his short reach, he gave up his boxing career. Since he was also a fan of Rikidōzan, he joined the Japan Pro-Wrestling Association (JWA) in 1961/10. He debuted against Koma Atsuhide on 1961/12/22 at Riki Sports Palace.[1]
Hoshino was sent to the United States in 1967/1 with Yamamoto Kotetsu. In April, Hoshino ("Great Yamaha") and Yamamoto ("Toki Yamaha") formed the "Yamaha Brothers", named after the motorcycle brand. Hoshino returned to Japan later in the year.[1]
In 1970, Hoshino teamed with Antonio Inoki to participate in the First NWA Tag Team League, defeating Nick Bockwinkel & John Quinn in the final.[1] Hoshino picked this match as the best bout in his own career.
Hoshino is also remembered as Mil Mascaras' first opponent in Japan when they wrestled on 1971/2/19 at Kōrakuen Hall.
Hoshino went to the United States and Mexico in 1970 and 1973. However, the JWA closed down in 1973 while Hoshino was wrestling in Mexico.[1]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Hoshino returned to Japan in 1974/1 and joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which had just been founded about ten months ago. Yamamoto Kotetsu was already working for New Japan since its start, and together, Hoshino & Yamamoto revived the famous tag team.
On 1979/1/21, the Yamaha Brothers won the IWA World Tag Team Championship, which was the main tag team title of the International Wrestling Enterprise, from Great Kusatsu & Animal Hamaguchi.
Yamaha Brothers defeated IWE's Gorō Tsurumi & Ōiyama Katsuzō in Yamamoto's retirement match on 1980/4/4.
After Yamamoto's retirement, he was featured in the junior heavyweight division, usually as a tag team partner of the stars such as Fujinami Tatsumi and Tiger Mask. He was also a member of the New Japan team during an interpromotional feud against the UWF wrestlers.
Hoshino had his retirement match against Kido Osamu on 1995/2/19 at Ryōgoku Kokugikan.[1]
Post-Retirement
After the retirement, Hoshino became a promoter in his hometown of Kōbe.
He returned to the ring in 2002/8 as the non-wrestling leader of Makai Club, a heel group. Even after the group dissolved, Hoshino continue to appear on New Japan cards on an irregular basis.
On 2009/2/4, Hoshino was hospitalized. He suffered a stroke and remained to have a speech disorder.[2]
Hoshino passed away due to pneumonia on 2010/11/25.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e The Wrestler Best 1000. Nippon Sports Publishing. 1996.
- ^ "小鉄さん急死に、星野勘太郎さん号泣". NikkanSports.com. 2010/8/30.
- ^ "【訃報】星野勘太郎さん逝去". New Japan Pro-Wrestling Official Website. 2010/11/27.
