Killer Khan

was a Japanese professional wrestler. Popularly known as Killer Khan, he was billed from Mongolia and had numerous high-profile matches with André the Giant in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s, including a high profile "Mongolian stretcher match". Khan used Asian mist against opponents.

Professional wrestling career From 1963 until 1970 he was a sumo wrestler with the Kasugano stable, reaching a highest rank of makushita 40. His fighting name was Koshinishiki. Ozawa started wrestling under his true name in 1971 in Japan. In 1977 he wrestled in the Toronto area as Kim Chang and then returned to Japan. Ozawa's Mongolian giant character was created by Karl Gotch. The incident had been reported as real and as a storyline to help put Khan over. In November 1981 in Philadelphia, Andre defeated Khan in a "Mongolian Stretcher match." On January 20, 1984, he won the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship from Gouldie in a street fight. He retired from wrestling later that year. Bruce Prichard explained on his podcast "Something to Wrestle" that Khan was homesick and missed his family. He did not like the road schedule of the WWF.

Personal life After retiring from wrestling, Khan ran numerous restaurants and bars in Tokyo. According to authorities in the Shinjuku Ward, he allegedly struck a woman who was riding a bike in the Hyakunincho area, then fled the scene. The woman suffered a broken tooth in the accident and sustained other injuries that took about a month to heal. Khan later apologized for the incident and stated that he was in a hurry to get to his restaurant. He was not charged nor prosecuted.

Death

Khan died from an aortic dissection on December 29, 2023, at the age of 76. According to a statement released by New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Khan died after collapsing at one of his bars in Tokyo.

Championships and accomplishments Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) - with Pak Song NWA United States Tag Team Championship Tournament (1979) - with Pak Song Mid-South Wrestling Association Mid-South Louisiana Championship (1 time) Mid-South Mississippi Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Mid-South Louisiana Championship Tournament (1982) Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI Feud of the Year (1981) vs. André the Giant PWI Match of the Year (1981) vs. André the Giant on May 2 PWI ranked him # 176 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003. Wrestling Observer Newsletter Feud of the Year (1981) vs. André the Giant

Footnotes