Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinaire

Kyung-go Sol stars as Korean-born, Japanese wrestler Rikidozan in this biographical drama depicting how one fearless athlete helped to give Japan hope following the devastation of World War II. At first an aspiring yokozuna, Rikidozan shifted his focus to professional wrestling after learning that only native-born Japanese could earn the title of sumo grand champion. Later, after becoming a national icon in Japan during the 1950s and '60s, the 5 foot 9, 240 pound grappler would emerge as a fearsome villain on the U.S. wrestling circuit. All the while, Rikidozan took great pains to cover up his Korean roots.