MMA star dubbed The Wrestling Monster dies suddenly aged just 36
Former wrestling and MMA star Katsuya Kitamura sadly passed away this week having being rushed to hospital in an ambulance after feeling unwell in Japan.
The 36-year-old has died just 11 months after making his professional MMA debut under the Rizin banner, with local reports in Japan saying his health changed dramatically on Tuesday.
As of Friday, no cause of death had been given for the passing of Kitamura, who once won three consecutive All Japan Championships in the Greco-Roman 96-kg class.
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The former New Japan Pro Wrestling star and bodybuilder, who earned the nickname 'The Wrestling Monster', was accomplished on both the amateur and professional scene.
Kitamura was once one of the largest wrestlers in Japan thanks to his 6ft tall and 265lb frame, which saw him touted as a possible entrant to the 2012 Olympics.
Having been banned for testing positive for anabolic steroids, Kitamura insisted that he took them by accident after buying some supplements from abroad, moving into professional wrestling in 2016.
As recently as December, Kitamura made his MMA debut at Rizin 32 in a bout against Bobby Ologun, where he lost by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Paying tribute, one fan wrote on social media: "He was definitely someone that could have been great. Sadly a few roadblocks got in the way."
With a second adding: "He was young too, rest in peace." And a third writing: "Sending our love to his friends, family and fans."
As recently as October 11, Kitamura posed alongside wrestler Chanyota while giving an update to his thousands of followers on Twitter.
He wrote at the time: "I had the opportunity to collaborate with Chanyota! Let me help with leg day training! Thank you."
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