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 nameMartin Hisao Tanaka
BornApril 22, 1921
Los Angeles, California[1]
DiedJune 30, 1991(1991-06-30) (aged 70)
Las Vegas, Nevada
ChildrenPat Tanaka
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Hisao Tanaka
Duke Keomuka
Trained byTsutao Higami
Debut1947[1]

Biography

Because he was a Japanese American in California during World War II, Tanaka was interned at Manzanar following the signing of Executive Order 9066.[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.[3][4][5]

Keomuka died on June 30, 1991, at the age of 70. His son was scheduled for a match teaming up with Paul Diamond (who at the time worked as Kato of the Orient Express tag team) to take on Haku and The Barbarian but didn't arrive as his father died the day before the match, so his manager Mr. Fuji took his place.

Championships and achievements
  • Midwest Wrestling Association
  • MWA Ohio Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sato Keomuka

References
  1. "Wrestler Profiles: Duke Keomuka". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  2. "Japanese American Internee Data File: Hisao Tanaka". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  3. Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg (2010-11-16). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55490-284-2.
  4. III, Harris M. Lentz (2003-10-21). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
  5. Funk, Terry; Williams, Scott E. (June 2012). Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. ISBN 978-1-61321-097-0.
  6. 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.
  7. "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  8. 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.
  9. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  10. 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.
  11. "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.


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