Yoshihiro Yamazaki has announced that he will be retiring from in-ring action next year.
Yamazaki is one of many wrestlers who have played the part of Tiger Mask but he has been the persona the longest, since 1995.
“I’ve been Tiger Mask for 30 years now. I have decided to retire next July,” he told reporters after facing off against Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Japan Soul. The Ace of New Japan is on his own retirement tour which will end at Wrestle Kingdom next year.
“This is something I’ve decided on my own…My debut was on July 15. I’ve completed 30 years and move on to 31 so, next July, I will retire,” he said.
When asked why he was retiring Yamazaki said that after having the persona passed down to him, he has done all he can for 30 years.
“Injuries have taken their toll on me but everyone’s in the same boat. I won’t use that as an excuse. The most important thing is that I still have a year to go…But it’s clear that I’ve lost a step,” he admitted.
Mask promised to be at his best leading up to his retirement.
“I’d like to spend the next year showing the best of Tiger Mask that I can…Since coming here, I’ve been all over Japan, Mexico, America, England, Italy, everywhere! Thanks to all these fans, I could keep going. Going forward, in small shows and big ones, there will be fans who hope to see me. I want them to have that chance so I’ll keep touring all over Japan. This is my way of getting my final revenge while thanking those who have supported me,” he said.
In NJPW, Mask has been the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship six times, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion twice, once with Jushin Thunder Liger and once with Robbie Eagles. He won the Best of the Super Juniors twice, in 2004 and 2005.
It is not clear who if anyone will be taking over the Tiger Mask persona.
