Osamu Nishimura Passes Away

Osamu Nishimura has passed away at the age of 53.

Cauliflower Alley Club announced on Thursday night that Nishimura had passed away. He is survived by his wife and six-year-old son.

"It is with profound admiration that the CAC honors the life of Japanese wrestling legend Osamu Nishimura after his valiant battle with cancer. He leaves behind a legacy of love for his wife, Megumi Nishimura, and son, Mayu Nishimura, age 6. Rest in peace Mr Nishimura," Cauliflower Alley Club tweeted.

Shinsuke Nakamura also paid tribute to Nishimura, writing: "Rest in peace, Osamu Nishimura. You were as kind as an older brother and taught me so many things."

Nishimura passed away following a battle with oesophagal cancer. The former NJPW star announced in April 2024 that he had stage four oesophagal cancer, although he continued to wrestle following the diagnosis, having two more matches in Atsushi Onita's FMW-E promotion. One of those matches saw Nishimura team with Dory Funk Jr. against Onita and Raijin Yaguchi in a Double Hell Current Explosion Deathmatch inside Kawasaki Stadium. Nishimura's final match was a six-man No Ropes Barbed Wire & Giant Electric Explosive Bat Deathmatch in December 2024.

Nishimura began his pro wrestling career in 1990 after signing with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and he worked for the promotion until 2006, during which he spent time in ECW facing the likes of Sabu, Shane Douglas, and Al Snow in 1994 and 1995.

Following a battle with cancer in the late 1990s, Nishimura returned to NJPW and enjoyed tag team success, twice winning the IWGP Tag Team Championships with Hiroyoshi Tenzan. After exiting New Japan, Nishimura worked for every major Japanese wrestling promotion, primarily for All Japan where he had over 500 matches between 2007 and March 2024.  

Cultaholic extends its condolences to Osamu Nishimura's family and friends.