Former NJPW Talent Katsuya Kitamura Passes Away

Former New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent Katsuya Kitamura sadly passed away on October 12 at the age of 36.

Tokyo Sports reported that Kitamura thought there was something wrong on Wednesday and he went to hospital in an ambulance. His condition then quickly deteriorated before he passed away. Kitamura only uploaded a new video to his YouTube channel on October 9.

Kitamura initially had a career in amateur wrestling and was considered for the 2012 Japanese Olympic team. He was banned from the sport for two years in 2011, however, after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

Kitamura then joined NJPW in 2015, reporting to the dojo. He would have his first match in 2016 and Kitamura won the 2017 Young Lion Cup. He looked set to become a future star in the promotion but it was announced in early 2018 that he had suffered a cerebral concussion and was unable to compete. He then departed NJPW in January 2019.

After he exited NJPW, Kitamura had one MMA match in RIZIN, losing to Bobby Ologun.

Cultaholic Wrestling extends its condolences to Katsuya Kitamura's family and friends.