Former Marigold Referee Found Dead Following A Bear Attack

The Asahi Shimbun reports that former Marigold referee Katsumi Sasazaki has been found dead following a suspected bear attack. Sasazaki also previously worked for Zero1 and All Japan Women. He was sixty.

Sasazaki had been missing for days, ever since earlier this week. His body was then found near a hot spring inn in Kitakami in the Iwate prefecture. This is the second bear attack and fatality this month. It’s unknown if it was the same bear or not. He had been working with Marigold and transported talent via bus until recently.

Marigold’s Rossy Ogawa said in a statement: “Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found. Sasazaki’s final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters. He was supposed to attend the Shinkiba event but was absent, and we parted ways without exchanging any words. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that it’s deeply regrettable and heartbreaking. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.”

NJPW’s Hartley Jackson added: “Katsumi Sasazaki was a referee for 100s of my matches in over 12 years for Zero1. He was a referee, president, driver, office worker, ring crew, friend and most important, a family man. He did so much! He introduced me to so many Japanese foods, like Lucky Pierrot, Bikri Donkey, Sukiya, tonkasu/ramen, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, yakiniku and interchange ice cream just to name a few. This sometimes from a 26 hour one shot drive from the top to the bottom of Japan. I have so many wonderful stories and memories. But thinking of his two little girls and his family breaks my heart Rest in peace Sasazakisan. All I can ask is ‘why!’”

411 would like to give our condolences to his family, including his two daughters, as well as his friends.