Former NJPW Young Lion Katsuya Kitamura has passed away

[Chris]

Katsuya Kitamura, a former young lion in New Japan Pro Wrestling, has passed away at the age of 36.

Tokyo Sports reported Friday morning that Kitamura had passed away on October 12, with the cause of death currently unknown. He had kept a YouTube page, with the latest video uploading on October 9.

Kitamura first started as an amateur wrestler, at one point being considered for the 2012 Japanese Olympic team. However in 2011 he was banned from amateur wrestling for two years after testing positive for anabolic steroids. He entered New Japan Pro Wrestling’s dojo in 2015 and had his first professional wrestling match in September of 2016, wrestling Tomoyuki Oka (Great-O-Khan) to a time limit draw. He won the 2017 Young Lion Cup, defeating everyone in the block.

Early in 2018, Kitamura was put in a trial series where he would face seven wrestlers in singles matches. In his final match, he was set to face Manabu Nakaniashi. However, the company announced that he had suffered a cerebral concussion and was unable to compete. After a year, he left NJPW in January of 2019.

Following his departure from NJPW, Kitamura had one mixed martial arts match in RIZIN, losing to Bobby Ologun by rear naked choke at Rizin 32 on November 20, 2021.

Former NJPW young lion Katsuya Kitamura passes away

Tokyo Sports reported that Kitamura died suddenly on October 12.

www.f4wonline.com

 

[Chris]

 

[Necro]

So sad RIP

 

[Grimoire Lenin]

36 is much too young. RIP.

 

[Kairi HoHo]

RIP Katsuya. I remember him more sure during his New Japan days he stood out from the others because the man was yoked to the gills. Not the News I wanted to hear today hearing a guy only 2 Years older than me passing away.