(NOAH) Former Noah wrestler, Jun Izumida, dead at 51: huge damage caused by fraud case

Nikkan Sports.com
8th February 2017

Wrestler Jun Izumida, who was active in All Japan and Pro Wrestling Noah, was found dead on January 31st 2017. He was fifty-one years old. According to an official, Mr. Izumida was found by his relatives who had visited Kanagawa in concern after being unable to contact him. The cause of death is unknown*, and it is saod that the family is now conducting the funeral.

Mr. Izumida was from the Grand Sumo stable Azumazeki where sumo wrestler Takamisakari originated. In 1991 he turned to wrestling and joined All Japan. In 1998 along with tag partner Tamon Honda, he won the Asian Tag Championship. Known for being good at head butting, the team took the name "The Headbutters". In 2000 he joined Noah and has been a freelancer since December 2009.

He confessed to a magazine that he had been a victim of fraud for twelve years. In May 2004, a woman who had embezzled about 85 million yen from Mr. Izumida was facing imprisonment. However, the money did not return to the victim and he said he was struggling financially.

During his sumo era he served as an instructor, and was one of the teachers of then junior, Akebono.

Please click here for original article (in Japanese)

*Later found to be a heart attack