10 Wrestlers You Won't Believe Are Still Wrestling

2. Hakushi

Buff Bagwell 2019
Michonoku Pro

The average retirement age of Japanese wrestlers trends higher than their North American counterparts, usually ranging somewhere between mid-60s and never. More often than not, the archipelago's golden oldies continue to rock up as a nostalgic attractions in the country's major league prelims, as opposed to sweating buckets in sweatpants in a high school gymnasium.

Indeed, some are positively ageless. Minoru Suzuki has enjoyed the most fruitful run of his career in his apparent twilight years, and Jushin Liger has until just recently been defying his 'super junior' tag well into his 50s. Jinsei 'Hakushi' Shinzaki is amongst this club of venacious pros, for whom age matures rather than withers. 53 years old, the former 'white one' can understandably no longer be arsed painting shakyo all over his body, but he's lost none of his touch in the ring.

Look at the above image, taken backstage at Michinoku Pro's 25 Year Anniversary in 2018 alongside Dick Togo and Ultimo Dragon. The nick they're in, it might as well have been snapped on the promotion's founding.

 
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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.