Wrestler Spotlight: Tomoryu - An Inspiration and a Leader

Tomoryu, nicknamed "Mr. Deaf Pro Wrestling", is a wrestler who has been a part of the independent Japanese wrestling scene for the past 17 years, which is a testament to his dedication to the industry. Fueled by his admiration for the legendary Genichiro Tenryu, Tomoryu overcomes adversity every time he steps in the ring.

Although Tomoryu has wrestled in many promotions including FMW, his home promotion is HERO, which was launched in February 2010, and at the time they were known as “DEAF JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING HERO”, due to the fact that their goal was to create events that would serve as a bridge between the hearing impaired and people who are not hearing impaired. In August 2016, the promotion’s name was changed to “HERO: Barrier-Free Pro-Wrestling”, with their target audience becoming not only the hearing impaired but also the visually impaired, people who use wheelchairs, and pro-wrestling fans in general. HERO’s roster includes hearing-impaired wrestlers who compete in matches with the other wrestlers, which shows that HERO’s, “barrier-free” attitude even extends to the ring.

The ace of HERO, Tomoryu has been with the promotion since day one, and in February 2020 he became co-holder of the WBC (World Barrier Free Championship) Tag Team Championship, making him the first male deaf wrestler to hold a professional wrestling championship. This victory signifies not only Tomoryu's honed skills but also the culmination of years respecting Genichiro Tenryu's fighting spirit and Tomoryu's unwavering passion for professional wrestling.


Although Tomoryu wrestles able-bodied wrestlers, he does not fully consider his hearing loss to be a handicap, and he overcomes it through strong will and training.

The only remaining original member of HERO, Tomoryu's contributions extend far beyond what he does in the ring as the wrestler's chairman of HERO and being the leader and organizer of the wrestlers' association, which demonstrates his dedication to the well-being and fair treatment of the HERO roster. This leadership role sheds light on Tomoryu's character, showcasing his well-roundedness and his passion for the industry as a whole.

Tomoryu's championship success, tenacity in the ring, and leadership role within HERO make him an inspirational figure in the pro-wrestling industry. With hard work and dedication, not only to his career but also to the careers of the other wrestlers on the HERO roster, Tomoryu has the potential to continue making a significant impact both in and outside of the ring.