Kazuo Sakurada, best known for his time competing in the NWA and WWC as Kendo Nagasaki, has died at the age of 71.
Unconfirmed reports as this time say that the cause of death was a pacemaker failure, which led to a cardiac arrest.
As with La Parka last night, Sakurada should not be confused with the Kendo Nagasaki from World of Sport Fame, merely Sakurada adopted the gimmick from Kendo from World of Sport.
Sakurada worked a different style as the character and competed in face paint instead of a mask. Credited by Bret Hart as one of his trainers, Sakurada’s career included notable runs in Stampede Wrestling, World Wrestling Council, Frontier Martial Arts, the National Alliance, Continental Wrestling Association, and World Championship Wrestling.
He returned to Japan in 1990 and remained there until his retirement in 2001.
TWM offers it’s condolences to the Sakurada family, and all of Kendo’s fans at this time.