Japanese pro wrestler Yutaka Yoshie died at 50 years old right after performing a match on Sunday.
Yoshie had just competed in the Takasaki tournament in the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion when he became ill in the locker room.
“After Yutaka Yoshie returned to the waiting room after the game, his condition suddenly deteriorated, and he was rushed to a hospital in Takasaki City, but he never returned home,” All Japan wrote on X, as translated through Google by Wrestling Inc.
“We would like to remember Yutaka Yoshie’s achievements during his lifetime and pray for his soul to rest in peace.”
According to Yahoo Japan, Yoshie was in a tag-team match with Ryo Inoue in which they faced Hokuto Omori and Ryoji Choi, and there was nothing visibly wrong with Yoshie during the bout.
Yoshie debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1994 and wrestled there until 2006.
Yoshie and Hiroshi Tanahashi won the promotion’s IWGP tag team championships in 2003.
He was also a part of the G-EGGS stable along with Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi and the late Masakazu Fukuda.
“At 180 cm and 160kg (5-foot-11, 350 pounds), Yoshie was a true gentle giant whose bright disposition, contrasted with powerful in-ring offense made him a popular figure wherever he went,” New Japan wrote in its tribute to the departed wrestler.
“The deepest sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Yoshie’s family, friends and fans.”