The wrestling world has lost another giant.
                    Shohei "Giant" Baba is dead at 61 of liver failure.
                    Baba was always an athlete, and pitched in the Japanese league
                   for the Yomiuri Giants before injuring his shoulder.
                    Following the injury, he turned to pro wrestling under the
                   tutelage of the legendary Rikidozan. A fellow student was also
                   bound for greatness. His name was Antonio Inoki.
                    Baba and Inoki formed a tag team in the late 60s, but went their
                   separate ways and to equal greatness.
                    Giant Baba formed All-Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972, with
                   support from fellow wrestlers and friends like Bruno
                   Sammartino, the Funk Brothers and The Destroyer. Inoki went
                   on to create New Japan Pro Wrestling.
                    In 1974, Baba was the first Japanese to hold an
                   American-version of the world title. He won the NWA title on
                   December 2 by beating Jack Brisco, and losing it back to him a
                   week later. He held the title on two other occasions - in 1979 and
                   1980, trading it with Harley Race. Baba also held a slew of titles
                   in Japan.
                    Shohei Baba was born January 23, 1938 in Sanjyo-city, Niigata.
                   He eventually topped out at 6'8" (209cm), truly a giant by
                   Japanese standards.
                    Besides running All-Japan pro wrestling as President, Baba was
                   a tremendously well-respected teacher and many of his students
                   are the stars of today in Japan.
                    He wrestled pretty well until the end of his life, not backing
                   down from any challenge. His skills diminished in the final years,
                   but he was so respected and loved that fans continued to enjoy
                   his matches.
Credit the Puroresu Dojo and Great Hisa.
On the 31st Giant Baba passed away, another sad day to wrestling fans.
I liked this man, and always saw him in the likes of Andre the Giant, when they tagged
in Tokyo in 90 on that great card with New-Japan, All-Japan and WWF taking on Demolition
it was great to see that fans still respect both Andre and Baba, even though they were getting
old and couldn`t move like before.
I apreciate everything he has done for wrestling, and wanna say that the wrestling world
must be thankfull to Baba for all he has done for this great "sport" or game, as J.R would
say.
Thank you Shohei for the behalf of all wrestling fans and from me Gery Roif, I hope you`ll enjoy in heaven.