Great Kojika
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| Great Kojika | |
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 Kojika in 2015 | |
| Born | 28 April 1942 Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Kung Fu Lee Raizō Kojika Shinya Kojika Great Kojika Dory Boy |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Billed weight | 251 lb (114 kg) |
| Debut | October 13, 1963 |
Shinya Kojika (小鹿 信也, Kojika Shinya) (born 28 April 1942), known by his ring name Great Kojika (グレート小鹿, Gurēto Kojika), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He co-founded the promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling.[1][2][3][4][5] Kojika is the oldest active Japanese wrestler as well as the one with the longest career, having debuted in 1963.
Early Career (1963–1973)
Kojika made his debut on October 13, 1963 for Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance.
In 1967 he made his debut in North America for NWA Mid-America in Tennessee. He teamed with Motoshi Okuma and they also worked for Georgia Championship Wrestling. They disbanded in 1968 and Kojika went to Florida, Detroit and St. Louis. In 1969, Kojika went to Los Angeles and won the NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship by defeating Pepper Martin on November 19. A month later he dropped the title back to Martin. On August 26, 1970 he defeated Les Roberts for the TV title and held it until losing to The Great Goliath on September 16.
After losing the title, Kojika returned to Japan and stayed with Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance until the company folded on April 14, 1973.
Return to North America (1973-1974, 1980)
In 1973 Kojika returned to the United States this time he wrestled in Texas as Kung Fu Lee. He would feud with Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Ricky Romero and Akio Sato. He left Texas in 1974. In 1980 he went to Hawaii to work for NWA Polynesian.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1973-1986)
After the folding of JWA, Kojika went to Giant Baba's All Japan Pro Wrestling where he reunited with Motoshi Okuma. From 1976 to 1981 he and Okuma won the All Asia Tag Team Championship four times. They were together until 1986 when Kojika retied from wrestling.
Big Japan Pro Wrestling (1995-2000)
Kojika returned to wrestling in 1995, co-founding Big Japan Pro Wrestling with Kazuo Sakurada where it was a style based on deathmatches and King's Road Style. He starting wrestling again in 1996. He retired for the second time in 2000. He still co-promoted Big Japan.
Second return to wrestling (2006-present)
In 2006 he return to wrestling for the second time. He still wrestles at 77 wrestling for Big Japan and numerous Japanese promotions.
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Motoshi Okuma (3) and Gantetsu Matsuoka (1)
- Big Japan Pro Wrestling
- Yokohama Shopping Street 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Masato Inaba & Kankuro Hoshino (1)
- DDT Pro-Wrestling
- DDT Jiyugaoka Six-Person Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mr. #6 and Riho
- DDT Nihonkai Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mr. #6 and Riho (1)
- UWA World Trios Championship (1 time) – with Mr. #6 and Riho (1)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hollywood Wrestling
- NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 times)
- NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Don Carson (1) and John Tolos (1)
References
- ^ "70歳プロレスラー小鹿「曙をブン投げる」". 東京スポーツ. 2012-06-03.
- ^ "70歳グレート小鹿「毒霧」噴射か". 東京スポーツ. 2012-06-15.
- ^ "グレート小鹿が「古巣」乗っ取り計画". 東京スポーツ. 2012-06-16.
- ^ "曙の肉弾プレスで小鹿 〝圧死〟". 東京スポーツ. 2012-06-21.
- ^ "70歳Ｇ小鹿、曙に玉砕も報復「狙う」". デイリースポーツ. 2012-06-18.
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