Shohei Baba

Shohei Baba (Baba Shōhei, January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was also known as Giant Baba. Baba, along with Antonio Inoki, became one of the most famous Japanese wrestlers of his time, with a popularity in Japan that was like Hulk Hogan's in the United States of America. He was also a 3 time NWA Champion.

Shohei Baba
Born(1938-01-23)January 23, 1938
Sanjo, Niigata, Japan
DiedJanuary 31, 1999(1999-01-31) (aged 61)
Tokyo, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Giant Baba
Shohei Baba
Big Baba
Baba The Giant
Great Baba
Ishope Baba
Babyface Baba
Giant Zebra
Billed height2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Trained byRikidōzan
Great Togo
Fred Atkins
DebutSeptember 30, 1960
RetiredDecember 5, 1998
Shohei Baba
Japanese name
Kanji馬場 正平
Hiraganaばば しょうへい
Katakanaババ ショウヘイ

Baba died on January 31, 1999 from cancer.[1]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • All Japan Pro Wrestling
    • AJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
    • NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Jumbo Tsuruta
    • NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
    • PWF World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
    • Champion's Carnival (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982)
    • World's Strongest Tag Team League (1978, 1980) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
  • Japan Wrestling Association
    • NWA International Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
    • NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Michiaki Yoshimura (1), Antonio Inoki (4), and Seiji Sakaguchi (1)
    • World Big League (6 times)
  • NWA Detroit
    • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) - with Jumbo Tsuruta
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
    • Class of 2008
  • Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
    • Wrestler of the Year (1975, 1979) [2]
    • Outstanding Performance Award (1974, 1980) [2][3]
    • Special Popularity Award (1976) [2]
    • Popularity Award (1988) [3]
    • Special Grand Award (1977, 1980) [2][3]
    • 30th Anniversary Special Achievement Award (1990) [4]
    • Special Award for breaking 5000 Matches (1993) [4]
    • Special Achievement Award (1999) [4]
    • Tag Team of the Year (1978, 1980, 1982)- with Jumbo Tsuruta [2][3]
    • Match of the Year (1979)- with Antonio Inoki vs. Abdullah The Butcher and Tiger Jeet Singh on August 26, 1979 [2]
    • Match of the Year (1980)- with Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr. on December 11, 1980 [3]
    • Match of the Year (1981)- vs. Verne Gagne on January 18, 1981 [3]
    • Match of the Year (1982)- vs. Stan Hansen on February 4, 1982 [3]

Other websites

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