Duke Keomuka
Martin Hisao Tanaka (April 22, 1921 – June 30, 1991)[1] was an American professional wrestler better known as Duke Keomuka. He is the father of wrestler Pat Tanaka and referee Jimmy Tanaka.
| Duke Keomuka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Martin Hisao Tanaka |
| Born | April 22, 1921 Los Angeles, California[1] |
| Died | June 30, 1991 (aged 70) Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Hisao Tanaka Duke Keomuka |
| Trained by | Tsutao Higami |
| Debut | 1947[1] |
Biography
Because he was a Japanese American in California during World War II, Tanaka was interned at Manzanar.[2]
In the 1950s, Keomuka formed a very successful tag team with Hiro Matsuda. Keomuka was also a top wrestler in the 1950s and the 1960s while competing in Texas before settling in Florida.
Keomuka died on June 30, 1991 at the age of 70.
Championships and accomplishments
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (4 times) - with Hiro Matsuda
- Midwest Wrestling Association
- MWA Ohio Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sato Keomuka
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (14 times) - with Danny Savich (5), Ivan Kalmikoff (1), Mr. Moto (2), Don Evans (1), Tiny Mills (1), Kinji Shibuya (1), Tony Martin (1), Tokyo Joe (1) and John Tolos (1)[3][4]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Taro Miyaki (2), Mr. Moto (1), Tony Martin (1), Antonio Inoki (1) and Fritz Von Erich (1)[5][6]
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)[7][8]
References
- "Wrestler Profiles: Duke Keomuka". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- "Japanese American Internee Data File: Hisao Tanaka". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Texas: NWA World Tag Team Title [Siegel, Boesch and McLemore]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 271. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
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