Hiroyoshi Tenzan held a press conference in Tokyo on May 11 and announced that he will retire from active competition at the Ryogoku Kokugikan event on August 15.
Born on March 23, 1971, in Kyoto City, Tenzan entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) dojo and made his professional debut on January 11, 1991, against Osamu Matsuda at Imaya City Hall.
He won the 4th Young Lion Cup in 1993 and then traveled to Europe for further training. Upon his triumphant return in January 1995, he formed the “Wolf Pack” with Masahiro Chono and Hiro Saito. In 1997, he joined nWo Japan, and on January 4, 1999, he captured the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Satoshi Kojima as the Tencozy team. In 2000, he became a top star as part of Chono’s T2000 faction.
In August 2003, Tenzan won the G1 Climax for the first time. Later that year, in November, he defeated Yoshihiro Takayama to claim his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He repeated as G1 winner in 2004. In 2006, he partnered with Kojima to win All Japan Pro Wrestling’s World’s Strongest Tag Determination League. Throughout his career, Tenzan consistently anchored New Japan’s roster. Standing 183 cm tall and weighing 115 kg, his signature moves include the Anaconda Vice, Mongolian Chop, Anaconda Max, TTD, and diving headbutt.
In recent years, injuries limited his in-ring appearances, but after more than 35 years since his debut, Tenzan’s legacy and his signature “Wild Bull” fighting style will be forever remembered.
