Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki (born Kanji Inoki) is a professional wrestler, founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Universal Fighting-Arts Association, and possibly the most respected Japanese wrestler in the world. His now-infamous worked shootfight with an aging Muhammad Ali is widely considered to have been the most boring match of the century. In addition to his worked match with Ali, Inoki also had many mixed martial arts matches, defeating karate champion "The Monster Man" Everett Eddie and judo gold medallist Willem Ruska among many others. He retired in April 4, 1998 after defeating Don Frye at the Tokyo Dome, but continues to have an influence in professional wrestling and politics. He is sometimes seen walking by his home in Santa Monica, California. In 1989, Inoki established the Sports Peace Party (スポーツ平和党). He was elected to the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan. He served in that House until 1995, when he failed to win reelection.
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