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Kazuo Sakurada, better known to wrestling fans as Kendo Nagasaki has died at the age of 71.
According to PWInsider, Sakurada’s pacemaker malfunctioned causing a cardiac issue.
Rest in Peace Kendo Nagasaki
Kazuo Sakurada (September 26, 1948 – January 11, 2020)
ケンドー・ナガサキこと桜田一男選手のご冥福をお祈りします。#ChanChung #KendoNagasaki #DragonMaster 🇯🇵🇨🇦🇺🇸🇵🇷 #NWA #Amarillo #Stampede #CWF #WorldClass #WWC #WCW #JWA #AJPW #NJPW #FMW #SWS #NOW #BJW pic.twitter.com/evWIbzzGUX— Masa HORIE 🌏🌎🌍 (@MasanoriHorie) January 12, 2020
The CAC would like to pass along our condolences to the friends and family of Kazuo Sakurada, better known to the wrestling world as Kendo Nagasaki. Kazuo passed away last night at the age of 71. A legendary figure, especially around Florida, he will be deeply missed by all pic.twitter.com/xIR4MqCxoW
— CauliflowerAlleyClub (@CACReunion) January 12, 2020
Under various names he worked for several promotions over the span of his career including Stampede Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, Continental Wrestling Association, and Frontier Martial Arts.
Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart praised Kazuo for his work as an in-ring performer and trainer for Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling in the 1970s.
In 1989, Kazuo joined WCW under the name “The Dragonmaster”, a member of Gary Hart’s stable “The J-Tex Corporation”.
In 1990, Kazuo returned to Japan after competing in North America for many years. He worked under the name Kendo Nagasaki for promotions such as FMW, SWS, and later formed his own promotion Network Of Wrestling.
He officially retired from active in-ring competition in 2001. Kazuo made a special appearance for Real Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2009.
We send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.