Yokozuna was on his final tour of Europe when he died in Liverpool on October 23, 2000. He was only 34 years old and had a promising future in the wrestling world. The wrestler died from pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation in the lungs. His death came as a shock to the wrestling community.
Full Name | Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi |
Date of Birth | October 2, 1966 |
Deceased Date | October 23, 2000 |
Age at death | 34 years |
Cause of death | Pulmonary edema |
Occupation | Professional Wrestler |
Height | 6 feet 4 inch (193 cm) |
Weight | 589 lb (267 kg) |
Wife | Monica Anoa’i |
Kids | 2, Justin and Keilani |
Net Worth at the time of death | $10 Million |
Yokozuna was a heavyweight wrestler; he was known for his size and strength. He could perform backflips three times while holding other wrestlers on his shoulders, making him very popular with fans of all ages.
Who Is Yokozuna?
Yokozuna was born in San Francisco on October 2, 1966. He was of Japanese and Samoan descent and began wrestling in high school. His real name was Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi , and Yokozuna was his ring name. His father was a professional wrestler, and almost all the member of his family were involved in wrestling. Yokozuna began his wrestling career in 1984, and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) signed him in 1993.
What Made Yokozuna a Successful Wrestler?
Yokozuna was physically impressive due to his size, but he also could wrestle, unlike other wrestlers in the same weight class. The wrestler performed many high-risk moves that required speed and agility. The wrestler was so large that it would take three average men’s arms to reach around him at the waist, which is why he wore a sumo thong in the ring.
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What Were Yokozuna’s Biggest Accomplishments?
Yokozuna was able to make it big after joining the WWF. He became the most improved wrestler of the year in 1993. in the same year, PWI ranked him number 5 among the 500 best singles and 145 of 500 best singles in 2003.
Yokozuna won WWF championships two times and the same in the WWF Tag team championship. He was the first wrestler to ever hold the WWF World Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the same time.
Was He From The Anoa’i Family?
Yes, Yokozuna belonged to the Anoa’i family. The Anoa’i family is a well-known family in the world of professional wrestling. His uncles, Afa and Sika, formed The Wild Samoans. Yokozuna was part of this tag team before starting his successful career.
He was an imposing wrestler who weighed 600 pounds during his career. He was a two-time world champion and is still considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. During his death, he stayed at Moat house hotel, Liverpool, with his tour group. He was on a European tour working as a special guest referee for matches held by World Wrestling All-Stars.
His Wrestling Career In Brief
Yokozuna’s career began as he grew up in the Anoa’i wrestling dynasty. He teamed with his uncles Afa and Sika as The Wild Samoans. In 1992, Yokozuna left the team and began a singles career. He soon got signed to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he became one of the most popular wrestlers in the company.
He held the WWF World Heavyweight Championship twice and was a two-time Intercontinental Champion. After leaving the WWF, he wrestled for various other companies before his death in 2000.
How Did Pulmonary Edema Ended His Life?
Pulmonary edema entails the situation in which body fluids accumulate in various parts of the body, especially in the lungs. It can result in difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems. It can stem from several things, such as heart failure, infection, or medication side effects. In Yokozuna’s case, obesity was the most likely cause of the disease. The condition strained his heart.
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Yokozuna was a large man, and at the time of his death, he weighed over 600 pounds. The excess weight put a lot of stress on his heart and may have contributed to his death from pulmonary edema. Despite his size, Yokozuna was an incredibly athletic and talented wrestler who entertained fans worldwide and will remain remembered as one of the best wrestlers ever.
Yokozuna’s Family Detail
Yokozuna married Monica Anoa’i and the couple gave birth to two children, Justin and Keilani. Most of the family members of Yokozuna are professional wrestlers. Some of the famous ones like Roman Reigns, Rikishi, Samu, Rosey, Manu, Umaga, and The Rock are his cousins. All of them are the members of the famous Anoaʻi wrestling family.