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|tab1=General
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|tab2=Event history
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|tab3=Image gallery
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|tab4=Magazine covers
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|tab5=Merchandise
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|tab6=Toys
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{{Infobox Wrestler
 
{{Infobox Wrestler
 
|name=Jumbo Tsuruta
 
|name=Jumbo Tsuruta
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|image= [[File:Tomomi Tsuruta.jpg|200px]]
|image=
 
 
|names=Jumbo Tsuruta<br>Tommy Tsuruta<br>The Terror of Yamanashi
 
|names=Jumbo Tsuruta<br>Tommy Tsuruta<br>The Terror of Yamanashi
 
|height=
 
|height=
 
|weight=
 
|weight=
 
|birth_date={{Birth date|1951|3|25|mf=y}}
 
|birth_date={{Birth date|1951|3|25|mf=y}}
|birth_place=Makioka, Yamanashi
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|birth_place=[[Makioka, Yamanashi]]
 
|resides=
 
|resides=
 
|billed=
 
|billed=
 
|trainer=[[Dory Funk, Jr.]],<br>[[Lou Thesz]],<br>[[All Japan Pro Wrestling|AJPW Dojo]]
 
|trainer=[[Dory Funk, Jr.]],<br>[[Lou Thesz]],<br>[[All Japan Pro Wrestling|AJPW Dojo]]
|debut=March 24, 1973
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|debut=March 24, [[1973]]
 
|death_date={{death date and age|2000|5|13|1951|3|25|mf=y}}
 
|death_date={{death date and age|2000|5|13|1951|3|25|mf=y}}
 
|death_place=Philippines
 
|death_place=Philippines
|retired=February 20, 1999
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|retired=February 20, [[1999]]
 
}}
 
}}
'''Tomomi Tsuruta''' (March 25, [[1951]]-May 13, [[2000]]) better known by his [[ring name]] '''Jumbo Tsuruta''', was a [[professional wrestler]] who wrestled for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] for most of his career, and is well-known for being the first ever AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National Championship, and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship, and unifying the three titles.
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'''Tomomi Tsuruta''' (March 25, [[1951]]-May 13, [[2000]]) better known by his [[ring name]] '''Jumbo Tsuruta''', was a [[professional wrestler]] who wrestled for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] for most of his career, and is well known for being the first ever AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National Championship, and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship, and unifying the three titles.
 
{{Navbuttons-events-images}}
 
   
 
==Early life==
 
==Early life==
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Scouted by AJPW promoter [[Shohei Baba|Giant Baba]], he was sent to the local Amarillo, Texas promotion in the U.S. to train as a pro under [[Dory Funk Jr.]] While wrestling in the United States, Tsuruta was the first Japanese wrestler to be cheered by an American crowd, due to his hard work ethic and wrestling ability. The name "Jumbo" was given to him by a fan contest in Japan to replace his given name, which was seen as too feminine. Tsuruta and [[Yoshiaki Yatsu]] became the first [[AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship|AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions]] on June 10, 1988.
 
Scouted by AJPW promoter [[Shohei Baba|Giant Baba]], he was sent to the local Amarillo, Texas promotion in the U.S. to train as a pro under [[Dory Funk Jr.]] While wrestling in the United States, Tsuruta was the first Japanese wrestler to be cheered by an American crowd, due to his hard work ethic and wrestling ability. The name "Jumbo" was given to him by a fan contest in Japan to replace his given name, which was seen as too feminine. Tsuruta and [[Yoshiaki Yatsu]] became the first [[AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship|AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions]] on June 10, 1988.
   
During his 26 year career, he fought in 3,329 matches. Some of his most notable opponents include [[Stan Hansen]], [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]], [[Bruiser Brody]], [[Genichiro Tenryu]], [[Abdullah the Butcher]], [[Terry Funk]], [[Dory Funk Jr.]], [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], [[Harley Race]], [[Verne Gagne]], [[Jack Brisco]], [[Ric Flair]], and [[Nick Bockwinkel]]. Tsuruta was the first [[AJPW Triple Crown Championship|AJPW Triple Crown Champion]] (unifying the Pacific Wrestling Federation, NWA United National, and NWA International Heavyweight titles), defeating Stan Hansen on April 18, 1989 in Tokyo.
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During his 26-year career, he fought in 3,329 matches. Some of his most notable opponents include [[Stan Hansen]], [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]], [[Bruiser Brody]], [[Genichiro Tenryu]], [[Abdullah the Butcher]], [[Terry Funk]], [[Dory Funk Jr.]], [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], [[Harley Race]], [[Verne Gagne]], [[Jack Brisco]], [[Ric Flair]], and [[Nick Bockwinkel]]. Tsuruta was the first [[AJPW Triple Crown Championship|AJPW Triple Crown Champion]] (unifying the Pacific Wrestling Federation, NWA United National, and NWA International Heavyweight titles), defeating Stan Hansen on April 18, 1989 in Tokyo.
   
 
His level of work while still an active, full-time wrestler never declined and if anything, his highest rated work came in the last five years of his career, in his seminal feuds with Genichiro Tenryu and Mitsuharu Misawa. His skills allowed him to continue as a top line worker into his forties, well past his athletic prime. In the wake of his death, the press called him the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. Tsuruta was arguably the best wrestler in the world during the 1980s.
 
His level of work while still an active, full-time wrestler never declined and if anything, his highest rated work came in the last five years of his career, in his seminal feuds with Genichiro Tenryu and Mitsuharu Misawa. His skills allowed him to continue as a top line worker into his forties, well past his athletic prime. In the wake of his death, the press called him the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. Tsuruta was arguably the best wrestler in the world during the 1980s.
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:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]])
 
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]])
 
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (1991)
 
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (1991)
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
   
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[[File:Cm logo.jpg|50px]] [http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=593&gimmick=Jumbo+Tsuruta Profile]
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*[[File:Wrestling Data logo.png|50px]] [https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=877 Profile]
 
*[http://www.puroresu.com/personalities/tsuruta/ puroresu.com: Jumbo Tsuruta]
 
*[http://www.puroresu.com/personalities/tsuruta/ puroresu.com: Jumbo Tsuruta]
   
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{{1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsuruta, Tomomi}}
 
 
[[Category:1951 births]]
 
[[Category:1951 births]]
 
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
 
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
 
[[Category:Japanese wrestlers]]
 
[[Category:Japanese wrestlers]]
 
[[Category:NWA International Heavyweight Champions]]
 
[[Category:NWA International Heavyweight Champions]]
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[[Category:Wrestlers who have died]]
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[[Category:1973 debuts]]
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[[Category:1999 retirements]]
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[[Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:New Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
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[[Category:American Wrestling Association alumni]]
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[[Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni]]
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[[Category:World Class Wrestling Association alumni]]
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[[Category:Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:Central States Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:Championship Wrestling From Florida alumni]]
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[[Category:Georgia Championship Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:Maple Leaf Wrestling alumni]]
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[[Category:St. Louis Wrestling Club alumni]]
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[[Category:Japan Wrestling Association alumni]]
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[[Category:AWA World Heavyweight Champions]]
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[[Category:Former amateur wrestlers]]
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[[Category:Olympic athletes]]
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[[Category:Male wrestlers]]

Revision as of 03:30, 28 July 2019

Tomomi Tsuruta (March 25, 1951-May 13, 2000) better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career, and is well known for being the first ever AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National Championship, and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship, and unifying the three titles.

Early life

Tsuruta participated in many sports, such as swimming, basketball, and sumo while attending Hikawa Senior High School in Yamanashi-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Amateur wrestling career

While at Chuo University, he began an amateur wrestling career. He won the All Japan Amateur Wrestling Championship in freestyle and Greco-Roman as a superheavyweight (at the time, an unlimited class for those weighing over 100 kilograms) in the years 1971 and 1972.

He also competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He finished the Greco-Roman tournament with no wins.

Professional wrestling career

Scouted by AJPW promoter Giant Baba, he was sent to the local Amarillo, Texas promotion in the U.S. to train as a pro under Dory Funk Jr. While wrestling in the United States, Tsuruta was the first Japanese wrestler to be cheered by an American crowd, due to his hard work ethic and wrestling ability. The name "Jumbo" was given to him by a fan contest in Japan to replace his given name, which was seen as too feminine. Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu became the first AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions on June 10, 1988.

During his 26-year career, he fought in 3,329 matches. Some of his most notable opponents include Stan Hansen, The Destroyer, Bruiser Brody, Genichiro Tenryu, Abdullah the Butcher, Terry Funk, Dory Funk Jr., Mitsuharu Misawa, Harley Race, Verne Gagne, Jack Brisco, Ric Flair, and Nick Bockwinkel. Tsuruta was the first AJPW Triple Crown Champion (unifying the Pacific Wrestling Federation, NWA United National, and NWA International Heavyweight titles), defeating Stan Hansen on April 18, 1989 in Tokyo.

His level of work while still an active, full-time wrestler never declined and if anything, his highest rated work came in the last five years of his career, in his seminal feuds with Genichiro Tenryu and Mitsuharu Misawa. His skills allowed him to continue as a top line worker into his forties, well past his athletic prime. In the wake of his death, the press called him the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. Tsuruta was arguably the best wrestler in the world during the 1980s.

Illness, life after wrestling and death

In the summer of 1992, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis B and never fully recovered, completing the "October Giant Series" tour before disappearing from the company for almost a year. For the rest of his career, he participated mostly in comedic matches because his health prevented him from working a full physically-demanding schedule. He announced his retirement on February 20, 1999 and held a ceremony on March 6, 1999, after being forced out of his front-office position by Motoko Baba in the aftermath of her husband's death.

Four days later, he and his family moved to the United States so that he could take an Assistant Professor position at the University of Portland in Oregon. Tsuruta had degree in law and earned his teaching credential in 1994, later becoming a professor at his old University.

His health deteriorated, however, as he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer, which eventually spread to his liver, and by the end of the year he was back in Japan. In April 2000, he left for Australia, where he had an operation to remove the cancer, while there a kidney donor was found in Manila. Tsuruta died in the National Hospital in the Philippines on May 13, 2000, from complications of the kidney transplant.

He had 3 sons: Ken, Naoki, and Yuji.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) – with Giant Baba
  • PWI ranked him #28 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003
  • Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
  • Wrestler of the Year (1983, 1984, 1991)
  • Techinique Award (1974, 1986, 1988)
  • Outstanding Performance (1975, 1976, 1981)
  • Achievement Award (1999)
  • Special Achievement Award (2000)
  • Tag Team of the Year (1978, 1980, 1982)- with Giant Baba
  • Tag Team of the Year (1983, 1985)- with Genichiro Tenryu
  • Tag Team of the Year (1989)- with Yoshiaki Yatsu
  • Match of the Year (1976)- vs. Rusher Kimura on March 28, 1976
  • Match of the Year (1978)- vs. Harley Race on January 20, 1978
  • Match of the Year (1980)- with Giant Baba vs. Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk on December 11, 1980
  • Match of the Year (1985)- vs. Riki Choshu on November 4, 1985
  • Match of the Year (1987)- vs. Genichiro Tenryu on August 31, 1987
  • Match of the Year (1989)- vs. Genichiro Tenryu on June 5, 1989

External links

1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers
1-100
Hulk HoganLex LugerRic FlairRandy SavageStingScott SteinerRicky SteamboatSteve WilliamsArn AndersonRick SteinerUltimate WarriorJerry LawlerCurt HennigBarry WindhamRoad Warrior HawkSid JusticeTed DiBiaseRoad Warrior AnimalNikita KoloffThe Great MutaBret HartTerry FunkJake RobertsStan HansenBig BossmanRick RudeJushin LigerJeff JarrettRon SimmonsBobby EatonSteve AustinEric EmbryBig Van VaderAntonio InokiAbdullah the ButcherSgt. SlaughterShawn MichaelsLarry ZbyszkoIrwin R. SchysterKerry Von ErichRick MartelMr. SaitoEddie GilbertBrian PillmanCactus JackDavey Boy SmithDino BravoTom ZenkKonnanEarthquakeTony AnthonyTerrence TaylorGreg ValentineBob BacklundThe PatriotRichard MortonMarty JannetyBam Bam BigelowDoug FurnasMichael HayesStan LaneDan SpiveyRobert GibsonTony AtlasBill DundeeChris AdamsCol. DebeersBezerkerIceman ParsonsJim NeidhartVictor ZangievAustin IdolHerculesAl PerezWarlordDiamond StuddThe MountieKevin Von ErichRoddy PiperSamuGary YoungHacksaw DugganJeff GaylordBig Bully BusickThe BarbarianP.N. NewsManny FernandezTracey SmothersBlack BloodSmashRiki ChoshuDynamite KidJim GarvinAxis the DemolisherBeau BeverlySamoan SavageBilly Jack HaynesKen PateraBad News BrownJoel Deaton
101-200
Johnny B. BaddRobert FullerLarry CameronAngel of DeathBrad ArmstrongJimmy SnukaChris BenoitThe GrapplerNaoki SanoJerry EstradaNegro CasasEl GiganteBlake BeverlyOne Man GangPaul OrndorffAndre The GiantDick MurdochDr. Tom PrichardThe SkinnerB. Brian BlairThomas RichBuddy RobertsButch ReedDon MuracoPaul RomaRon GarvinRandy RoseBig JoshCarlos ColonBob Orton, Jr.Dustin RhodesSteve ArmstrongBrickhouse BrownTito SantanaAkira NogamiBrad RheingansDan DavisJimmy Jack FunkBilly BlackFatuScott NortonMil MascarasWendell CooleyHakuMike DavisSteve DiSalvoPat TanakaKokina MaximusDoug GilbertRicky RiceJim BrunzellKevin SullivanDerrick DukesIvan KoloffRip OliverBuzz SawyerJohnny SmithJunkyard DogJohn TatumHiroshi HaseAwesome DogScott AnthonyKatoBobby FultonDick SlaterBrian KnobbsMakhan SinghMr. HughesDan KroffatThe Honky Tonk ManShane DouglasSteve DollMasa ChonoChris WalkerYellow DogJumbo TsurutaTim HornerD.C. DrakeVic SteamboatLou PerezPaul DiamondSteve RegalThe EqualizerBuddy LandellChris ChavisDavid SammartinoMitsuharu MisawaAl MadrilJerry SagsJoe SavoldiDestructionThe SheikTommy RogersSoultakerJohnny AceTommy JammerRex KingHarley RaceRochester RoadblockBrad Anderson
201-300
Jerry MorrowBilly TravisSam HoustonTom BrandiD.J. PetersonCheetah KidOctagonRicky SantanaTerminatorSteven DaneSteve SawyerApocalypseKen WayneDoug MastersCol MustafaCharlie NorrisKing CobraLarry SharpeTodd MortonLarry OliverFirebreaker ChipSunny BeachJonnie StewartDutch MantelMiguel Perez Jr.Stevie RayBill IrwinAfaLanny PoffoTyphoonRanger RossRay OdysseyKamalaJay Strongbow Jr.Preston SteeleTyree PrideSteve SimpsonBadstreetAdrian StreetRip RogersRay StevensJacko VictoryThe JuicerRussian BruteScott PutskiVirgilTerry GarvinMr. PogoSteve ODean MalenkoDoug SomersSkip YoungLightning KidEric SbracchiaHandsome StrangerTNTTeijho KhanBarry HorowitzKoko B. WareNikolai VolkoffKen TimbsRob ZakowskiMondo KleenFire CatRip MorganToshiaki KawadaTazmaniacPez WhatleyIvan PutskiJoe MalenkoBuddy RoseJackie FultonRon HarrisLuke WilliamsGama SinghLeo BurkeT.C. CarterScott CaseyChris ChampionChick DonovanDory Funk Jr.Greg GagneMike GeorgeMike GrahamInvader IRocky JohnsonCpl. KirchnerRufus R. JonesWahoo McDanielVan HammerYoshihiro AsaiKillerEl Hijo Del SantoCrushLarry PowerMotor City MadmanBrian AdiasMark RoccoRon BassBrad Baiton
301-400
Bobby BlairBob BradleyMark MillerDragon MasterJohn RamboJohnny RichNelson RoyalGreg WojokowskiAkio SatoSoldat UstinovFabulous LanceHumongusJeff ColletteBart BattenKing KaluhaJohnny RodzDennis CondreyGary AlbrightOle AndersonDon BassMark YoungbloodJon MichaelsEqualizer ZipDavid PowerJerry GreyEqualizer ZapSikaFrank LancasterMike SharpeSteve CoxChris YoungbloodBaron Von RaschkeSteve LawlerRay CandyJ.W. StormBuck ZumhofeJoey MaggsPsychoLes ThorntonBob BrownShaun SimpsonMike SamsonFestusTiger Conway Jr.Barry OMike JacksonTugboat TaylorJason the TerribleKevin KellyMike WinnerTerry DanielsScott ArmstrongJim BacklundHurricane WalkerBlack BartTom DavisTexas RangerJimmy ValiantKiller BrooksBoris ZhukovBotswana BeastBonecrusherCuban AssasinRikki NelsonBrady BooneLarry WintersOzBull RantosAxl RottenBuddy Lee ParkerJimmy PowellRod PriceJ.T. SmithMark StarrHossRon CumberledgeSteve LombardiTony CaponeBrian DonohueTommy AngelG.Q. MadisonMadd MaxxDusty WolfeFrank MelsonRon ShawBob CookJose Luis RiveraMike CervichSabuG.I. BroMr. AtlantaJerry LynnGene LigonChris MichaelsLeatherfaceMoondog SpotCarl StyleasTony StetsonJim PowersG.Q. Stratus
401-500