JAPANESE wrestling and MMA star Katsuya Kitamura has sadly passed away.
The cause of death is not yet known for the 36-year-old fan favourite.
According to Tokyo Sports, Kitamura allegedly felt unwell on Tuesday and called an ambulance to take him to hospital.
However, a report in his homeland states his condition “changed dramatically” after that and led to his death.
The former New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestler and bodybuilder was nicknamed “The Wrestling Monster'' due to his 6ft tall and 265lb frame.
Kitamura made his professional wrestling debut with the New Japan promotion in 2017 and won three consecutive All Japan Championships in the Greco-Roman 96-kg wrestling class.
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He also won the Young Lion Cup that same year with many tipping him for superstardom in the squared-circle.
But he suffered a concussion at the Ibaraki tournament in March 2018 and withdrew from the tournament.
He then left the team on January 31, 2019 after another injury during practice and retired from pro wrestling.
Kitamura, who enjoyed an impressive amateur wrestling career as a youngster before a two-year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids ruined any hope of representing his nation at the Olympics, he began bodybuilding.
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He then made his MMA debut last November after joining RIZIN but lost to Bobby Ologun via rear-naked choke in the second round.
The charismatic Kitamura was also a YouTuber and ran his own channel which was named “Bulk Academy Katsuya Kitamura”.
As news of his death circulated, fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late star.
“RIP Katsuya Kitamura what a tragedy,” wrote one mourner.
Another commented: “Wow, awful news. RIP Katsuya Kitamura.”
While another tweeted: “Hearing that Katsuya Kitamura at 36 is a shocker. Dude was living his best life. Live life to the fullest, like he did!”
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