A medal for ‘Burning Fighting Spirit’! It was revealed by the 15th that professional wrestling superstar Antonio Inoki (age 79), who passed away on October 1st last year, received a rank and decoration. Retroactively to the last day of his life, he was awarded the rank of “Junior Fourth Rank” and the medal “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon”. The first feat for a Japanese professional wrestler. Everyone knows that he left behind great achievements in the world of professional wrestling, martial arts, and sports, but he was also recognized for his wide-ranging contributions to the development of society.
Ranks and decorations are conferred retroactively to the last day of life when a person who has made a great contribution to the country or the public dies. A Cabinet decision was made last year, and it was decided that Mr. Inoki would be awarded the rank of Junior Fourth Rank and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
In addition to being active in the world of professional wrestling and martial arts, he also served two terms as a member of the House of Councilors and struggled as a politician. In 1990, during his first term as a member of the House of Councillors, the Gulf Crisis occurred, but Mr. Inoki traveled to Iraq and held the “Festival of Peace” professional wrestling tournament. He led to the release of all Japanese hostages. In 1995, he also held a “Peace Festival” in Pyongyang, establishing a relationship with North Korea through his own route.
Conferment of ranks and decorations in recognition of such achievements. As a professional wrestler, the late The Destroyer, who contributed to the development of the sports world and the friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States, and Mil Mascaras, who contributed to the friendship and goodwill between Japan and Mexico, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. Tsusou Kosho)”, which is the first achievement for a Japanese professional wrestler.
According to Inoki’s management company, Inoki Genki Factory (IGF), So far, Inoki has received medals from four countries: Brazil, Cuba, Pakistan and North Korea. In 2012, he received the Cuban Friendship Medal. He was recognized for his friendship with the late Fidel Castro and Raul Castro, who led the Cuban Revolution, and his contribution to exchanges between the two countries.
Inoki’s political activities, “peaceful diplomacy through sports,” were highly evaluated by other countries. It says. On the other hand, at the time, he also complained, “Japan doesn’t give us anything.” For this reason, an IGF official said, “Chairman Inoki must be very pleased with this award.”
Inoki’s younger brother Keisuke Inoki is scheduled to receive the conferment of honors on behalf of the bereaved family on the 23rd. Inoki’s signature line, “1, 2, 3, dah!”, was given on January 23rd. have It is the birthday of the late Giant Baba, who was Inoki’s biggest rival in life and a tag partner of “BI Cannon” (1938).
Mr. Baba passed away on January 31, 1999, but it was also a long-cherished wish for Japan’s professional wrestling world to award the medal to the two giants, “Baba and Inoki.” This time, the award was given to Mr. Inoki as a “death decoration”, but “I think it also has the meaning of being together with Mr. Baba,” said an IGF representative.
Many people have testified that Mr. Inoki and Mr. Baba were not on bad terms, as is commonly believed, but “they were like brothers.” Mr. Inoki, along with Mr. Baba, must be delighted with this conferment of ranks and decorations in heaven.
[Former yokozuna Chiyonofuji was also awarded]According to the Cabinet Office website, the Order of the Rising Sun was established as Japan’s first medal in 1875. It is awarded to those who The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon is the third of the six.
In the sports world in recent years, Mr. Inoki was close to the late Mr. Mitsugu Akimoto, who was a recipient of the National Honor Award and former yokozuna Chiyonofuji. Motoi Oyama, chairman of ASICS, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
