Real Name - Kazuo Sakurada
Birthdate - 9/26/48
6' 225 lbs. - Abashiri, Japan

Aliases - Mr. Sakurada, Chan Chung, The Black Ninja, Rambo Sakurada, Kazuo Sakurada

Athletic background - Sumo, MMA

Teachers - Genichiro Tenryu

Professional background - Japan Pro(`71-`7?), All Japan(`76), Puerto Rico, Canada, US(`81), Mid-South(`83), New Japan(`85), SWS(`90-`92), NOW(`92-`94), Big Japan(`95-`99)

Groups - none

Peak Years - `7?-`85

Career Highlights - n/a

Finisher(s) -
- Green Mist

Favorites -
- Spinning Sidekick
- Mid Kick
- Chop
- Back Elbow

Ringwork Rating -
move set - 3
science - 3
aerial - 0
power - ?
strikes - 6

Intangible Rating -
entertainment - 6
selling - 6
bumping - 5
carrying - 5
heat - 7
legacy - 6

Place in History - Kendo Nagasaki was one of the interesting gimmicked heels of puroresu's second wave, who really found greater "success" abroad. After working as Genichiro Tenryu's underling for a while and even going to the States with him, Kazuo Sakurada was fitted with the look and style that would make him a notable star. Wearing kendo gear to the ring and armed with a shinai - Kendo Nagasaki was born. Whether the gimmick was lifted from a popular 60s British heel or not is unknown, but his version was distinctly different. Nagasaki adopted to the Japanese heel style in the US very well with things like "karate kicks," "judo chops" and so on. Though it was inarguably a stereotyped gimmick, it was one that allowed Nagasaki to tour throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and achieve better pushes than he would have in Japan. He returned to Japan for several upper midcard runs and largely was pushed because of he had "made it" in America. While he showed more ability in his homeland, Nagasaki was not really anything special. In recent years, he was one of the men who signed up with the ill-fated SWS and became a major player on the indy scene starting NOW himself and he was also pivotal with the formation of Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Nearing 50, Nagasaki also put his reputation as a tough guy on the line in Shooto where he was dropped with one punch and KO'd with a second. Kendo Nagasaki might not be remembered as one of the best or biggest and in fact he really hurt his name value in later years, but his success in the United States and actual name value in Japan make him a rare bird in the puroresu world.