27 Facts About Strong Kobayashi

Shozo "Strong" Kobayashi, known by the stage name Strong Kongo, was a Japanese professional wrestler and actor.

Strong Kobayashi is known for his appearances with International Wrestling Enterprise and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as well as his appearances on television series including Choudenshi Bioman and Takeshi's Castle.

Strong Kobayashi trained as a professional wrestler under Isao Yoshiwara and Matty Suzuki at the International Wrestling Enterprise Dojo.

Strong Kobayashi made his debut on 21 July 1967 at the age of 26 for International Wrestling Enterprise, wrestling under a mask as "Fukumen Taro" ; he was reportedly the first ever Japanese professional wrestler to perform under a mask.

Strong Kobayashi won his first title in May 1969, teaming with Toyonobori to defeat Ivan Strogoff and Jean Ferre for the inaugural IWA World Tag Team Championship in Paris, France.

In November 1970, Strong Kobayashi travelled to the United States where he began wrestling for the American Wrestling Association.

Strong Kobayashi began 1974 with a pair of successful title defences against Bill Watts.

Strong Kobayashi abruptly left International Wrestling Enterprise in February 1974, vacating the IWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Strong Kobayashi made his debut with the nascent New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion in March 1974, challenging NWF Heavyweight Champion Antonio Inoki in a historic match held at Kuramae Kokugikan that was billed as "the Duel on Ganryu-jima"; Inoki won the contest with a German suplex.

On July 15,1974, Strong Kobayashi lost to Mike Graham in a bout in which both Graham's beard and Hart's beard were on the line.

Strong Kobayashi left Florida later that month after he and Bobby Duncum lost a tag team loser leaves town match to Don Muraco and Jerry Brisco.

Strong Kobayashi left the WWWF in November 1974 to return to Japan.

Strong Kobayashi returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in December 1974, unsuccessfully challenging Inoki for a second time in the Kuramae Kokugikan.

Strong Kobayashi wrestled for NJPW throughout 1975, competing primarily against foreign opponents such as The Canadian Wildman, Steve Veidor, Killer Karl Krupp, Man Mountain Mike, The Hollywood Blonds, Hans Schmidt, Brute Bernard, Gilles Poisson, Greg Valentine, and Tiger Jeet Singh.

In May 1975, Strong Kobayashi competed in the annual World League Tournament, losing to Inoki in the semi-finals.

Strong Kobayashi left the WWWF in June 1978, returning to NJPW.

In February 1981, Strong Kobayashi began wrestling for the Universal Wrestling Association in Estado de Mexico, Mexico.

In June 1981, Strong Kobayashi returned to the World Wide Wrestling Federation for a third and final run, where his opponents include Johnny Rodz, Baron Mikel Scicluna, and a rookie Curt Hennig.

Strong Kobayashi largely retired from professional wrestling in October 1981 due to a back injury.

Strong Kobayashi made a one-night return to the ring in 1984 for the Universal Wrestling Association in Mexico, teaming with Buffalo Allen and Scorpio to face Robinson, Kuniaki Strong Kobayashi, and Lou Thesz in a six-man tag team match.

Strong Kobayashi formally announced his retirement on 26 August 1984.

Strong Kobayashi wrestled his last ever match at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's twentieth anniversary show on 1 March 1992, teaming with Sakaguchi to defeat Singh and Ueda.

Strong Kobayashi's roles included appearaing as a henchman on the gameshow Takeshi's Castle from 1986 to 1989.

Strong Kobayashi's finishing move was the Canadian backbreaker rack; his signature moves included the atomic drop, brainbuster, bear hug, and diving body press.

Strong Kobayashi was nicknamed "Doto no Kairiki".

In later life, Strong Kobayashi lived in a specialist nursing home in Ome after becoming bedridden due to a spinal cord injury that paralyzed his lower body.

Strong Kobayashi died from lung disease on 31 December 2021 6 days after his 81st birthday in Ome.