Tragic and bizarre news out of Japan today (Oct. 17), as the wrestling world is learning of the death of referee Katsumi Sasazaki by an apparent bear attack.
The 60-year-old refereed in All Japan Women’s
Wrestling and Marigold, among other promotions, and also worked as a bus driver for talent. Lately though, he was working at an inn in Kitakami, Iwate, an area known for hot springs and cherry blossoms.
Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports Sasazaki was cleaning an outdoor bath when he was apparently attacked by an adult male Asiatic black bear, which can be as bigger than six feet tall and weigh more than 400 pounds. Bloodstains and animal fur were found on the scene, and things like Sasazaki’s glasses and slippers. A search party later found a body believed to be his near the scene. The bear was tracked and put down.
Shimbun’s article said Sasazaki was known as the “Katsumi Tiger”. The paper also spoke to Hideo Arai, the president of an entertainment production company that employed Sasazaki, who said he was “a renowned referee and ”a pillar of many ring events” who “had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude”.
Marigold founder Rossy Ogawa posted the following on social media:
Heartbreaking news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who had been missing after being attacked by a bear at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found.
Sasazaki’s final refereeing role was in the Marigold ring. He was a junior from All-Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, quiet but dedicated to his work, and had two young daughters. He was supposed to come to the Shin-Kiba event but ended up absent, and we parted without exchanging a single word. Such an end is unimaginable; it can only be described as deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
May he rest in peace.
