Japanese wrestling referee Katsumi Sasazaki has died in what is believed to have been a bear attack while working at a hot spring facility He was 60 years old.
Sasazaki, who had worked for All Japan Women’s Wrestling, Zero1, and most recently Marigold, was cleaning an outdoor bath at the hot spring inn on Thursday when he reportedly went missing. Police later found signs of a struggle, including bloodstains, animal fur, his cleaning equipment, glasses, and slippers left at the scene.
There was a search party that found a body believed to be the 60-year-old Sasazaki’s in a wooded area nearby. The search team shot and killed the Asiatic black bear that was responsible for the attack.
Rossy Ogawa, founder of STARDOM and Marigold, paid tribute on Twitter.
Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found. Sasazaki’s final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was supposed to attend the Shinkiba event but was absent, and we parted ways without exchanging any words. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that it’s deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
I pray for his soul to rest in peace
Pro WrestleNews would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Katsumi Sasazaki.
