Strong Kobayashi

Known as: Strong Kongô, Strong Kobayashi, The Korean Assassin, Shozō Kobayashi, Fukumen Taro
Details
Pro Wrestlers Database
Strong Kobayashi - Pro Wrestlers Database
NJPW Hall of Fame: NJPW Greatest 18 Club

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.

Strong Kobayashi has won a total of 3 championships in major promotions during his career.

Strong Kobayashi was inducted in the NJPW Hall of Fame in 1990 as part of the NJPW Greatest 18 Club wing.

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 Profile Index

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameShozo 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)
  • NationalityNationality: JapanJapan
  • Birth PlaceHongō, 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)
  • NicknamesDotō no Kairiki (Raging Super Power)
  • NotesKobayashi’s "forbidden battle" with Antonio Inoki in 1974 was groundbreaking for putting two top Japanese wrestlers against each other, a move rarely done prior.

Career 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 History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight March 1, 1992March 1, 1992
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight August 29, 1981October 16, 1981
    PromotionWorld Wrestling FederationWWFJune 12, 1981July 20, 1981
    PromotionUniversal Wrestling AssociationUWAFebruary 27, 1981May 1, 1981
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight June 23, 1978February 12, 1981
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFApril 4, 1978June 3, 1978
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight December 12, 1974March 30, 1978
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWA, Jim Crockett PromotionsJCPJune 9, 1977June 10, 1977
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFAugust 3, 1974November 18, 1974
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWA, Championship Wrestling from FloridaCWFJune 10, 1974July 29, 1974
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight March 19, 1974March 19, 1974
    PromotionInternational Wrestling EnterpriseIWEJuly 6, 1971February 1, 1974
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWANovember 7, 1970June 20, 1971
    PromotionInternational Wrestling EnterpriseIWEJuly 8, 1969August 25, 1970
    Promotion, Relwyskow & Green PromotionsRGPOctober 14, 1968May 26, 1969
    PromotionDale Martin PromotionsDMPOctober 23, 1968January 30, 1969
    PromotionInternational Wrestling EnterpriseIWEJuly 21, 1967October 5, 1968

  • Images History

    Oct 1981
    Oct 1981
    Jul 1974
    Jul 1974
    Jun 1974
    Jun 1974
    Jul 1969
    Jul 1969
    Jan 1968
    Jan 1968
    Jul 1967
    Jul 1967

  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    FaceDecember 12, 1974October 16, 1981
    TweenerAugust 3, 1974December 11, 1974
    HeelJune 10, 1974August 2, 1974
    FaceJune 19, 1971June 9, 1974
    TweenerJuly 21, 1967June 18, 1971

  • 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

  • Career Awards

  • New Japan Pro Wrestling

    NWA Hollywood Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance

  • 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)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

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