Karl Gotch, Pro Wrestler from the 1950's, passes away

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Karl Gotch 1924 - 2007

I am saddened to announce that Karl Charles Istaz, better known to wrestling fans as Karl Gotch, passed away last night at the age of 82 years old. Karl Gotch is such a legendary figure in the world of wrestling that he is known as the "God of Wrestling" in Japan.
Prior to entering the world of wrestling, Karl represented Belgium in the 1948 Olympics in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling. In the early '50s, he entered the world of wrestling and competed in the European wrestling circuits. He came to the U.S. at the end of the decade and changed his name to Karl Gotch in honor of the legendary Frank Gotch. A few years later, Karl was black-balled from many American wrestling promotions due to a locker room altercation with then World Champion "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. Karl became an icon in Japan and is arguably the most successful “gaijin” (foreigner) in the history of Japanese Puroresu. As great as his wrestling career was, he became a legendary trainer. His students included Antonio Inoki, Hiro Matsuda (the man who trained Hulk Hogan), Tatsumi Fujinami, and Tiger Mask. One of the other legacies he has left the business is the German Suplex (a belly-to-back waist lock suplex) which was named in his honor.



Karl Gotch 1924 - 2007