Osamu Kido, a member of New Japan Pro Wrestling roster in its earliest days, has passed away at the age of 73.
Kido’s passing was announced by his family on Thursday, with Nikkan Sports reporting the death occurring on 12/11 following a battle with cancer for the past several years.
The NJPW original held the IWGP Tag Team Championship alongside Akira Maeda in 1986, the second team to hold the titles.
A protege of Karl Gotch, Kido received high praise from his mentor as noted by New Japan in a statement released:
The technical expertise Kido exemplified, passed directly from the revered Karl Gotch earned him the nickname of ‘Ibushi silver,’ meaning a subtly refined artisanal work of brilliance.
Kido would go on to train a number of wrestlers at the New Japan dojo including Shinsuke Nakamura, who paid tribute to Kido on social media:
Wrestleview extends its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Osamu Kido.