Birth name | Katsuji Adachi |
---|---|
Born |
Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan |
April 25, 1942
Died | April 21, 2010 Osaka, Japan |
(aged 67)
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Mr. Hito Tokyo Joe Katsuji Adachi |
Billed height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
Billed weight | 112 kg (247 lb) |
Debut | June 8, 1967 |
Retired | March 25, 1988 |
Katsuji Adachi (安達勝治 Adachi Katsuji) (April 25, 1942 – April 21, 2010), better known as Mr. Hito, was a Japanese professional wrestler who competed in North American and Japanese regional promotions from the 1950s until the mid-1980s. Most notably, he was the tag team partner of Mr. Moto (who was one of the earliest Japanese "heels") while wrestling in National Wrestling Alliance regional territories during the late 1950s.
He is perhaps best known for his work in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, where he won multiple championship titles. He is also highly regarded by Bret Hart as his most significant trainer alongside Kazuo Sakurada (a.k.a. Mr. Sakurada), who he trained with extensively in Stu Hart's "Dungeon."
Katsuji Adachi debuted in sumo wrestling in 1956 at the age of 14. He was part of the Dewanoumi stable under the shikona Naniwakai. His highest rank was 17th Makushita, before leaving sumo in January 1967.
Katsuji Adachi debuted for Japan Wrestling Association in June 1967. He lost to Haruka Eigen at the Kawasaki Stadium on July 1, 1969. The following year, Adachi appeared in the JWA New Year Champion Series in January 1970 and the Golden Series in July before leaving the country to compete in North America during the early 1970s.