New Japan Pro Wrestling has issued a statement to pay tribute to Yutaka Yoshie after the Japanese veteran wrestler passed away on Sunday.
As we previously reported here on eWn, Yoshie passed away on Sunday at the age of 50 after falling ill following a match for AJPW.
You can check out the official statement below:
In Memoriam: Yutaka Yoshie (1974-2024)
New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Yutaka Yoshie backstage after an All Japan Pro-Wrestling event on March 10. He was 50.
From Maebashi in Gunma, Yoshie trained in the famed Animal Hamaguchi gym before entering the NJPW debut in February 1994 and debuting opposite Satoshi Kojima in Tokushima December 9 that year.
On his return from international excursion, he would join Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and Masakazu Fukuda in the G-EGGS stable. In June 2003, Yoshie teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Tag team Championships.
Leaving NJPW in January 2006, Yoshie wrestled in All Japan, Zero1-MAX (where he and former NJPW World English broadcaster Steve Corino won tag gold) DRAGONGATE and more. In 2006, he joined Tatsumi Fujinami’s Muga World Wrestling (Dradition) promotion before again wrestling as a freelancer from 2009 until his passing. In 2015 he and Akebono became AJPW’s 69th World Tag Team Champions.
At 180 cm and 160kg, Yoshie was a true gentle giant whose bright disposition, contrasted with powerful in-ring offense made him a popular figure wherever he went.
The deepest sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Yoshie’s family, friends and fans.
New Japan Pro Wrestling Mourns the Loss of Yutaka Yoshie
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) has issued a heartfelt statement paying tribute to Yutaka Yoshie, a Japanese veteran wrestler who tragically passed away on Sunday. The wrestling community is devastated by the loss of this talented athlete, and NJPW is honoring his memory.
Yoshie, aged 50, fell ill following a match for All Japan Pro-Wrestling (AJPW), leading to his untimely death. NJPW expressed their deep sadness upon learning about Yoshie’s sudden passing backstage after the AJPW event on March 10.
Born in Maebashi, Gunma, Yoshie trained at the renowned Animal Hamaguchi gym before making his NJPW debut in February 1994. He had his first match against Satoshi Kojima in Tokushima on December 9 of the same year.
After returning from an international excursion, Yoshie joined the G-EGGS stable alongside Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, and Masakazu Fukuda. In June 2003, he partnered with Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships, showcasing his remarkable skills and teamwork.
In January 2006, Yoshie left NJPW and continued his wrestling career in various promotions such as All Japan Pro-Wrestling, Zero1-MAX (where he won tag gold with former NJPW World English broadcaster Steve Corino), DRAGONGATE, and more. He also joined Tatsumi Fujinami’s Muga World Wrestling (Dradition) promotion in 2006 before becoming a freelancer from 2009 until his passing. In 2015, he achieved another milestone by winning the AJPW’s 69th World Tag Team Championships alongside Akebono.
Standing at an impressive height of 180 cm and weighing 160 kg, Yoshie was known as a gentle giant. His bright disposition and powerful in-ring offense made him a beloved figure wherever he went. Fans and fellow wrestlers alike were captivated by his charisma and talent.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling extends its deepest sympathies to Yoshie’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. The wrestling community mourns the loss of a true legend and will forever cherish the contributions Yutaka Yoshie made to the sport. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who admired and respected him.