Former pro-wrestling referee mauled to death by bear as heartbreaking tributes paid to ‘gentle’ dad-of-two

A FORMER pro-wrestling referee and beloved dad has been mauled to death in a horrifying bear attack while he was on the job at a Japanese hot spring inn.

Katsumi Sasazaki, 60, was cleaning an outdoor bath at a hot-spring facility in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture in Japan when investigators believe a predator set its eyes on him.

The retired referee, who had worked for All Japan Women’s WrestlingZerol, and most recently Marigold wrestling, was reported missing by his manager on Thursday.

Police later found signs of a struggle, as well as bloodstains, animal fur and a pair of abandoned slippers at the scene.

A group of 30 people, including two Iwate Prefecture police officers began searching the surrounding area, believing Sasazaki had been taken by a bear.

City officials and the local hunters’ association members also made up the search party.

Tragically, they were forced to suspend their search after just 30 minutes due to bad weather conditions.

At 9am on Friday morning, Sasazaki’s body was found in a wooded area on the opposite bank of the Getogawa river, 50 metres north west of the hot spring inn.

Sasazaki, known as “Katsumi Tiger”, was a professional women’s wrestling referee for many years before he became a bus driver who transported the wrestlers to competitions.

He then took up a role at the hot spring inn, where he cleaned and maintained the site.

Hideo Arai, the president of a Yokohama-based entertainment company, posted a touching tribute for the father-of-two.

“As a renowned referee, he was a pillar of many ring events,” Arai said.

“He had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude.

“I knew he had retired and was working at a hot spring, but how could this happen?”

Tributes have flowed on social media, including from legendary Japanese wrestling figure Rossy Ogawa.

“Sasazaki’s final refereeing role was in the Marigold ring,” he said.

“He was a junior from All-Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, quiet but dedicated to his work, and had two young daughters.

“Such an end is unimaginable, it can only be described as deeply regretable and heartbreaking,” he added.

“May he rest in peace.”

The tragedy has come as the number of people killed by bears in Japan reaches a record high.

According to the country’s environment ministry, seven people have been killed by the animals since April – the highest number since 2006 when data was first recorded.

The majority of the fatalities have come from the north-eastern regions of Japan.