Tomomi "Tommy" Tsuruta, better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career, and is well known for being the first ever 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.
12 Facts About Jumbo Tsuruta
2.
Jumbo Tsuruta is known for being one-half of the first World Tag Team Champions with Yoshiaki Yatsu, having won the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the PWF Tag Team Championship, and unifying the two titles.
3.
Jumbo Tsuruta won the All Japan Amateur Wrestling Championship in freestyle and Greco-Roman as a superheavyweight in the years 1971 and 1972.
4.
Jumbo Tsuruta competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
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Jumbo Tsuruta was among the first Japanese wrestlers to be cheered by an American crowd, due to his hard work ethic and wrestling ability.
6.
The name "Jumbo Tsuruta" was given to him by a fan contest in Japan to replace his given name, which was seen as too feminine.
7.
Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Nick Bockwinkel on February 23,1984, to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
8.
Jumbo Tsuruta was the first Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, defeating Stan Hansen on April 18,1989, in Tokyo.
9.
Jumbo Tsuruta announced his retirement on February 20,1999, and held a ceremony on March 6,1999.
10.
Jumbo Tsuruta had a bachelor's degree in political science and earned a master's degree in coaching in 1997, later becoming a part-time instructor in physical training at his old University.
11.
Jumbo Tsuruta's health deteriorated as he had been diagnosed with Hepatitis B which eventually turned to full blown liver cancer as well as cirrhosis of the liver, and by the end of the year he was back in Japan.
12.
Jumbo Tsuruta underwent surgery on May 13, but during the liver transplant he began bleeding uncontrollably, and died at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City, Philippines on May 13,2000, from complications of the liver transplant at the age of 49.