Yoshiaki Yatsu

Yoshiaki Yatsu (谷津嘉章 Yatsu Yoshiaki, born July 19, 1956) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is known for being one-half of the first-ever All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Champions with Jumbo Tsuruta, having won the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the PWF Tag Team Championship, and unifying the two titles.

Amateur wrestling career

1976 Summer Olympics At the age of 20, Yatsu competed in freestyle wrestling at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He did not place in the tournament.

1980 Summer Olympics He would have participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, but Japan chose to follow the American-led boycott.

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Federation (1980–1981) In 1980, after Japan decided not to send their athletes to take part in the Summer Olympics in Moscow, Yatsu garnered a great deal of national attention, when he announced his intention of becoming a professional wrestler.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling 1976 Japanese Olympic Trials - First place, 198 pounds 1978 Asian Games - First place, super heavyweight DDT Pro-Wrestling KO-D 8-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Akito, Hiroshi Yamato and Keigo Nakamura International Wrestling Promotion IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Goro Tsurumi Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No. 291 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 Ranked No. 17, and 31 of the 100 best tag team of the "PWI Years" with Riki Choshu and Jumbo Tsuruta, respectively, in 2003 Super World of Sports SWS Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Haku

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Gary Goodridge TKO (corner stoppage) Pride 16

Osaka, Japan Loss

Gary Goodridge TKO (punches) Pride 11 - Battle of the Rising Sun

Osaka, Japan Submission grappling record Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time