Japanese wrestler Osamu Nishimura has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 53.
Initially diagnosed with a diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his stomach in 1998, he fought hard, changed his lifestyle and diet. In early 2024, Nishimura was diagnosed with stage-four esophageal cancer, which quickly spread.
Yet, despite the cancer, he entered the ring one last time, partnering with Dory Funk Jr. on August 24, 2024, at Kawasaki Stadium, against Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi in a Double Hell Current Blast Deathmatch. Nishimura had to sign waivers allowing him to wrestle and doctors were stationed at ringside.
Osamu Nishimura, born September 23, 1971, in Tokyo, began his wrestling career training in the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Dojo before making his debut in 1991. He started as a young lion, working opening matches and learning the fundamentals of the NJPW system. Over time, he developed a reputation as a technical wrestler, heavily influenced by the old-school grappling style associated with Tatsumi Fujinami and catch wrestling traditions.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Nishimura competed primarily in NJPW, often working in mid-card roles and as a tag team specialist. His technical skills earned him respect, leading to notable rivalries with Fujinami and Yuji Nagata. While never a main event star, he was recognized as a solid in-ring worker who could deliver strong matches with a classic wrestling approach.
Outside of Japan, Nishimura wrestled internationally, including stints in Germany and the United States. In the late 1990s, he worked briefly with WCW, though his appearances were limited. He also competed for various independent promotions in the U.S., often as part of cross-promotional events featuring Japanese talent.
Later in his career, Nishimura shifted toward training and mentoring younger wrestlers while making occasional in-ring appearances. He remained active in the Japanese wrestling scene, working for NJPW and smaller promotions until his passing.
There were plenty of tributes that poured in for Nishimura, from around the world.
Bull Nakano wrote: “My comrade and best friend, Osamu Nishimura, has passed away. I have so many memories and I still can’t put them into words. He was 53 years old. May he rest in peace.”
“British Bulldog Jr.” Harry Smith wrote:
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my best friends Osamu Nishimura. He was a super fun guy, and always took care of me in Japan and we had quite a wild excursion in Tampa and Clearwater one time years back. I was tired from traveling he had just flown in from Japan the night before and said “Xome on. I’ll teach you boat driving. Don’t sleep in! Don’t wait! Let’s go!” He was jet lagged from Japan, and he didn’t show it at all, he was a champ. And we sure got into some wild stuff that day! Put it that way. I was joking to Nishimura that he would be like Lesley Chow from the Hangover, and off to the races we went! We also visited Karl Gotch’s home that day and showed me sort of where his old apartment was.
I got to wrestle with Nishimura in my second match back for All Japan, January 2, 2024. Nishimura and myself exchanged some Dory Funk style elbows. And mutual respect for one another when game time came, he always brought his game too. Believe me. Total Pro.
I am kicking myself now for not seeing Nishimura when I was last in Japan. But I was told he wasn’t allowed visitors really, and Japan has certain rules upon visitation. My
Memories will last forever tho. All great ones too. R.I.P. my friend.
Steve Corino: “Very sad to get word last night that my friend Osamu Nishimura passed. Nishimura was my second ever match years ago and we always stayed in touch. We would joke that one day we would have a rematch. He was a very nice man. Even from the moment he found out he was sick, he would stay positive. I will miss our conversations but he will live forever in my heart. Rest well Nishimura-san.”
“Kowboy” Mike Hughes: “RIP Nishimura San. You were a Pro’s Pro and wrestlers wrestler . Always so welcoming and helpful to this Gaijin .
You fought long and hard, now rest my friend .”
Scott F. D’Amore: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Osama Nishimura. Met him very early in my career while we was on excursion in the US and teamed with him over 2 decades later in the world famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. God speed my friend.”
“The Rebel” StarBuck: “RIP Osamu Nishimura. I called him the Japanese James Bond. He was smooth, like flowing water. He was also the consummate gentleman.
I am honored to have shared the ring with Nishimura. It stands in memories as one of my personal career highlights and one of the most gratifying experiences inside the squared circle. We had chemistry, and that is something unique in our trade. Godspeed 007.”
Nishimura died on February 28, 2025. Details about his family and funeral arrangements are not known at this time.
