Toyonobori

Info
Michiharu Sadano (March 21, 1931 - July 1 1998), was known as a competitor in both sumo and professional wrestling. After retiring as a rikishi as a sumo wrestler, he became a Professional Wrestler. He was born in the Kanda Tagawa District of Fukuoka Japan.

Professional Wreslting Career
On December 12th 1954, Sadano became a Professional Wrestler after being put through harsh training from his mentor Rikidozan. He joined the Japanese Wrestling Association, which was the top wrestling promotion is Japan from 1953 until 1972. It was also the only significant promotion in Japan until 1966 when it was challenged for the first time by the rising organization, International Pro Wrestling. The top wrestler in the JWA at the time was Rikidozan, the founder of the promotion; he dominated the Japanese Wrestling scene. As a result, not many Japanese wrestlers could get the spotlight. One of the more recognizable wrestlers in that crowd was Toyonobori, who dominated the Japense tag team scene with his mentor Rikidozan. They became four time winners of the "All Asia Tag Team Championships", which was the top tag title in Japan at the time. The All Asia Tag Team Championships are currently used in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). A year after Rikidozans death, Toyonobori among with others announced their intentions to continue the JWA. He became the president of the JWA and became the top wrestler, this ushering in the "Rikidozan era" in Japanese Professional Wrestling. He went on after that to form many successful teams with the likes of Giant Baba, and Michiaki Yoshimura. He went on to have a very successful career and retired on Febuary 11th 1970.

Death
He died on July 1st 1998 due to heart failure.