FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NWA NJ & NY MOURN SHINYA HASHIMOTO

It was with great sadness that NWA NJ & NY learned of the premature death of former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Shinya Hashimoto.  Having worked with him many times and in many places, I can say that he was fluent and skilled in every facet of mat work.  His tasteful blend of martial arts and catch-as-catch-can drew large audiences wherever he wrestled.  Our angles together were something I will always remember.  His skills on a microphone made the audience sit up and take notice.  Shinya Hashimoto was a legend in Japan.

Personally, I developed a friendship with Shinya.  Despite his limited knowledge of English, complimented my even more limited knowledge of Japanese, we always succeeded in communicating.  I recall his joy when his daughter was born.  The many times he would call me and the other visiting “gajin” into the Zero-One locker room to thank us for making the long journey overseas.  His generosity was incredible.  Simply put, there was no “second class” on airlines, in hotels, etc.

Being robbed of life at age forty is horrible.  The cause of his death is one of the many things that medical science has yet to find a way to prevent.  Ironically, “Hashi” survived so many wrestling-related injuries.  The fast-count he got this time was undeserved.

Sayonara, my friend.

FRED RUBENSTEIN
NWA NJ&NY 

We here at wrestlingfigs.com want to send our condolences to Shinya Hashimoto's family, friends and fans.