Shohei Baba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shohei Baba
Born	(1938-01-23)January 23, 1938 Sanjo, Niigata, Japan
Died	January 31, 1999(1999-01-31) (aged 61) Tokyo, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Giant Baba Shohei Baba Big Baba Baba The Giant Great Baba
Billed height	2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Billed weight	128 kg (282 lb)
Trained by	Rikidōzan Great Togo Fred Atkins
Debut	September 30, 1960
Retired	December 5, 1998

Shohei Baba (born January 23, 1938 – died January 31, 1999) was a very famous Japanese professional wrestler. Most people knew him by his ring name, Giant Baba. He was super tall, standing at 2.08 meters (about 6 feet 10 inches)!

Giant Baba was so popular in Japan that he was like Hulk Hogan in the United States. He helped start a big wrestling company called All Japan Pro Wrestling. He also won the important NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Sadly, Giant Baba passed away in 1999 because of cancer.

Giant Baba's Wrestling Moves

Giant Baba was known for his special moves in the wrestling ring. These were the moves he used to try and win his matches.

Finishing Moves

• Coconut Crush (This move involved grabbing an opponent's head and smashing their face into his knee.)
• Running neckbreaker (He would run and hit his opponent's neck, making them fall down.)

Signature Moves

These were other cool moves Giant Baba often used:

• Big boot (A powerful kick to the face or chest.)
• DDT (He would grab an opponent's head and fall backward, driving their head into the mat.)
• Dropkick (He would jump and kick his opponent with both feet.)
• Overhead chop (A strong chop with his hand, usually to the chest.)
• Russian legsweep (He would sweep his opponent's legs, making them fall.)

Giant Baba's Nickname

• "The Giant of the East" (This nickname showed how big and important he was in wrestling, especially in Japan.)

Giant Baba's Championships and Awards

Giant Baba won many championships and awards throughout his amazing wrestling career. He was one of the most successful wrestlers in Japan.

Major Championships Won

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • AJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Jumbo Tsuruta
  • NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times) - This was one of the biggest titles in the world!
  • PWF World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
  • Champion's Carnival (7 times) - This was a big tournament he won many times.
  • World's Strongest Tag Team League (2 times) – with Jumbo Tsuruta

• Japan Wrestling Association
  • NWA International Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
  • NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with different partners like Antonio Inoki

Special Awards and Honors

Giant Baba also received many special awards for his wrestling skills and how much fans loved him.

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
  • He was put into the Hall of Fame in 2008, which is a huge honor!

• Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
  • Wrestler of the Year (1975, 1979) - He was named the best wrestler of those years.
  • Outstanding Performance Award (1974, 1980)
  • Special Popularity Award (1976)
  • Special Grand Award (1977, 1980)
  • Special Achievement Award (1999) - This was given to him after he passed away, for all his contributions.
  • He also won "Tag Team of the Year" with Jumbo Tsuruta multiple times.

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Best Booker (1989-1991) - This means he was great at planning wrestling shows and storylines.
  • Promoter of the Year (1990-1994) - He was recognized as the best at running a wrestling company.
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996) - Another Hall of Fame honor, showing his lasting impact.

Images for kids

• 

  A young Baba (second from left) with his brother and parents

• 

  Baba during his rookie year with the Yomiuri Giants baseball team

• 

  Baba training in 1962

See also

In Spanish: Giant Baba para niños