18 Facts About Tadao Yasuda

Tadao Yasuda is a Japanese retired sumo wrestler, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.

Tadao Yasuda competed in sumo from 1979 to 1992 under the shikona of Takanofuji Tadao, achieving the rank of komusubi, and afterwards turned to professional wrestling, in which he competed from 1994 to 2011, most notably in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he was a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Tadao Yasuda was fought in mixed martial arts from 2001 to 2003, holding a notable win over Jerome Le Banner.

Tadao Yasuda made his professional sumo debut in March 1979 at the age of 15, after leaving junior high school.

Tadao Yasuda first reached sekitori status in March 1985 upon promotion to the second highest juryo division, but could manage only 4 wins against 11 losses and was demoted back to the unsalaried makushita division.

Tadao Yasuda was demoted from the top division after the September 1991 tournament and announced his retirement in May 1992.

Tadao Yasuda's career coincided exactly with that of his stablemate Hokutoumi, who made his debut alongside him in March 1979 and retired in May 1992.

Tadao Yasuda returned to Japan soon after, and was victorious in his first fight against veteran Masaaki Satake at Pride 13.

Tadao Yasuda's win helped further legitimise him as a pro wrestler in the eyes of Inoki, and this was rewarded with Tadao Yasuda reaching the semi-finals of the 2001 G1 Climax, where he lost to Keiji Mutoh.

Tadao Yasuda was hospitalized with fears of possible brain damage, but this proved not to be the case and he eventually made a return to wrestling.

On January 11,2011, Tadao Yasuda announced his retirement from professional wrestling.

Tadao Yasuda wrestled his final match on February 4,2011, in which he was defeated by Genichiro Tenryu.

Tadao Yasuda had his debut at the PRIDE 13 against similarly retired kickboxer and karate champion Masaaki Satake.

Tadao Yasuda received damage and bled from his face, but he nullified most of Satake' attacks by rushing him through sumo techniques against the ropes every time they were separated.

Tadao Yasuda returned to MMA in the K-1 Andy Hug Memorial event, taking on Rene Rooze in a special rules match, but he lost via head kick KO at the third round.

Tadao Yasuda would be more successful in December 2001, when he fought popular K-1 player Jerome Le Banner at an Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event: Yasuda managed to take him down and submit him by pressing his forearm against Le Banner's throat, getting the biggest win of his MMA career.

Tadao Yasuda's last fight was a rematch against Rooze, losing the fight again, this time by TKO.

Tadao Yasuda's daughter Ayami was born in 1987 and is a model.