Osamu Nishimura passes away at 53 after battle with cancer

February 28, 2025 Neal Flanagan NEWS
Image Courtesy: NJPW

Influential Japanese wrestler Osamu Nishimura has died at the age of 53 after a battle with esophageal cancer.

His passing was announced on Friday, marking the end of an in-ring career that spanned over three decades.

Nishimura started out in April 1991 with New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he quickly gained recognition for his technical prowess. He held the IWGP Tag Team Championship twice, with Tatsumi Fujinami and then Hiroyoshi Tenzan. He also won the G1 Tag League with Tenzan.

In March 2024, he was diagnosed with stage-four esophageal cancer, which had metastasized to his lymph nodes and brain. Despite undergoing a craniotomy in October 2024 to remove cancerous growths from his brain, Nishimura continued to wrestle, with his final match taking place in December 2024.

He was already a cancer survivor, having overcome a tumor diagnosis in 1998.

In addition to his wrestling accomplishments, Nishimura ventured into politics, serving as a member of the Tokyo Bunkyo Ward Assembly. He was first elected in 2011 and was re-elected for four consecutive terms. 

WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura paid tribute, stating, “Rest in peace, Osamu Nishimura. You were as kind as an older brother and taught me so many things.”

Nishimura is survived by his wife, Megumi, and their six-year-old son, Mayu.

 

About Neal Flanagan 1193 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.
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