The late Antonio Inoki has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun from his native Japan.
Inoki, the accomplished wrestler, politician, and founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling, died last October at the age of 79.
On New Japan’s website, the promotion confirmed that Inoki has been granted junior fourth rank of the Japanese Court, as well as being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.
The award is given to service to the state deemed worthy of merit by the Japanese Cabinet.
Inoki is the first Japanese pro wrestler to receive the award, and his younger sibling Yoshimori will formally receive the honor on Inoki’s behalf on January 23.
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