Jumbo Tsuruta won every accolade there was to accomplish in All Japan. Tsuruta was an accomplished athlete who had an excellent amateur background (he represented Japan in the 1972 Olympics). He adapted to the pro ranks quickly and could be counted to put on excellent matches. Jumbo was large and fast and with a technical repertoire second to none, he had no discernable equals. As such, he was able to transfer his skills into a major American promotion (the AWA) and become their champion.
As great as Tsuruta was, his massive Japanese legacy did not equate to American stardom. Granted, he did win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship when it was still relevant but his run was largely forgettable. Still, this could be a wild card possibility as the next Japanese grappler in.
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