Hiroyoshi Tenzan has announced that he is retiring this year ending a 35 year career.
At a special press conference, President Hiroshi Tanahashi announced that knee and lower back injuries have made it difficult for the 55-year-old to return to a full-time schedule. Tenzen will continue to work for NJPW in a backstage capacity.
His last match will be at Ryogoku Sumo Hall on August 15th, the semifinals of the G1 Climax 36 tournament.
“It’s been 35 years for me in wrestling but on August 15 I will officially retire. I don’t know whether it’s been a long 35 years or if it’s gone by in a flash but I know that I’ve had so much support from so many people and I’m so very thankful. I came into this business not knowing right from left but to come as far as I did and to have lived as a pro-wrestler is something that I’m truly grateful for. If there’s anything that I can do after i retire to help NJPW in any way then I would appreciate the chance,” said Tenzan.
Tenzan explained that because of his injuries he doesn’t feel he can wrestle or perform like he used. It is unknown who will be involved in Tenzen’s final match.
He thanked Riki Choshu, Tatsumi Fujinami and Masahiro Chono for shaping his career to be present for his retirement as well.
Tenzan has spent the last 31 years wrestling for NJPW.
In NJPW he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship four times, the IWGP Tag Team Championship 12 times with partners Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima and Osamu Nishimura. He won the G1 Climax three times, World Tag League three times.
