Akira Maeda

Martial arts promoter, former professional wrestler

Born in Osaka in 1959, he studied Shorinji Kempo and karate from childhood. He studied Shorinji Kempo and karate from childhood, and made his debut with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1977. His physique and fighting sense made him a promising prospect even as a rookie, and he fought legendary fights in every ring, including a move from New Japan Pro-Wrestling to the first UWF. After legendary fights against Don Nakaya Nielsen and Andre the Giant, he was dubbed the “New King of Fighting. In addition, the second UWF caused a movement that is even referred to as a social phenomenon. He later founded the mixed martial arts organization RINGS, and retired in 1999 after a match against Alexander Karelin, an amateur wrestler who was even called the “strongest primate in the world. Since his retirement, he has worked not only with RINGS, but also as a supervisor of HEROʼS, and produced “The Outsider,” an event for youth development, where he discovered Mirai Asakura and the Asakura Brothers of the Sea. He is also a voracious reader, collector of Japanese swords, sword connoisseur, and antique collector, and has a wealth of knowledge.