On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Strong Kobayashi, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.
Shozo Kobayashi (ストロング小林) was born in Hongō, Tokyo, Japan on December 25, 1940.
He died on December 31, 2021 at the age of 81.
Kobayashi’s "forbidden battle" with Antonio Inoki in 1974 was groundbreaking for putting two top Japanese wrestlers against each other, a move rarely done prior.
Strong Kobayashi was inducted in the NJPW Hall of Fame in 1990 as part of the NJPW Greatest 18 Club wing.
Profile Info
- Gender Male
- Real Name Shozo Kobayashi (ストロング小林)
- Ring Names
- Strong Kongô ( November 1, 1982 - December 31, 1995)
- Strong Kobayashi ( July 30, 1974 - October 16, 1981)
- The Korean Assassin ( June 10, 1974 - July 29, 1974)
- Strong Kobayashi ( July 8, 1969 - June 9, 1974)
- Shozō Kobayashi ( January 3, 1968 - July 7, 1969)
- Fukumen Taro ( September 21, 1967 - January 2, 1968)
- Born December 25, 1940
- Died December 31, 2021 (aged 81)
- Nationality
Japan - Birth Place Hongō, Tokyo, Japan
- Billed From
- Hongō, Tokyo, Japan ( July 30, 1974 - December 31, 1995)
- Korea ( June 10, 1974 - July 29, 1974)
- Hongō, Tokyo, Japan ( July 21, 1967 - June 9, 1974)
- Height 6 ft 2 in (187 cm)
- Weight
- 276 lbs (125 kg)
- Nicknames Dotō no Kairiki (Raging Super Power)
- Notes Kobayashi’s "forbidden battle" with Antonio Inoki in 1974 was groundbreaking for putting two top Japanese wrestlers against each other, a move rarely done prior.
JapanCareer History
- Roles
- Actor ( November 1, 1982 - December 31, 1995)
- Part Time Wrestler ( March 1, 1992 - March 1, 1992)
- Wrestler ( July 21, 1967 - October 16, 1981)
- Promotions / Brands
Promotion from to Promotion 
NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
March 1, 1992 March 1, 1992 Promotion NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
August 29, 1981 October 16, 1981 Promotion WWFJune 12, 1981 July 20, 1981 Promotion NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
June 23, 1978 February 12, 1981 Promotion WWWFApril 4, 1978 June 3, 1978 Promotion NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
December 12, 1974 March 30, 1978 Promotion WWWFAugust 3, 1974 November 18, 1974 Promotion NJPWMarch 19, 1974 March 19, 1974 Promotion IWEJuly 21, 1967 February 1, 1974 - Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Face December 12, 1974 October 16, 1981 Tweener August 3, 1974 December 11, 1974 Heel June 10, 1974 August 2, 1974 Face June 19, 1971 June 9, 1974 Tweener July 21, 1967 June 18, 1971 - Images History
Oct 1981Jul 1974Jun 1974Jul 1969Jan 1968Jul 1967
NJPW
WWF
WWWF
IWE
- Finishers
- Canadian Backbreaker Rack ( July 21, 1967 - March 1, 1992)
- Theme Songs
- Theme Song "Strong Hug" by First Brand - Single ( June 23, 1978 - February 12, 1981)
Titles & Accomplishments
- Halls of Fame
- NJPW Hall of Fame - Year 1990, NJPW Greatest 18 Club
- Titles Won
New Japan Pro Wrestling
- 1 Asia Tag Team Championship (with Seiji Sakaguchi)
- 2 NWA North American Tag Team Championship (with Seiji Sakaguchi)
International Wrestling Enterprise
- 2 IWA World Heavyweight Championship
- 3 IWA World Tag Team Championship (1 with Great Kusatsu, 1 with Haruka Eigen, 1 with Toyonobori)
- Other Accomplishments
- Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Award (1976)
- Tokyo Sports Fighting Spirit Award (1974)
- Tokyo Sports Match of the Year Award (1974 - vs. Antonio Inoki on 03/19)
Relations
- Tag Teams & Stables
- Power Fighters - Seiji Sakaguchi ( January 8, 1975 - March 1, 1982)
Strong Kobayashi Game Appearances
Coming soon.
Coming soon.