Wrestler dies on British tour

Rodney Anoia - also known as Yokozuna - has died

An American wrestler who was touring Britain has been found dead in a hotel room.

Rodney Anoia, a 34-year-old former Sumo wrestler who went by the stage name of 'Yokozuna' died in Liverpool just hours before he was due to perform with the Wrestlemania American roadshow on Monday night in Stockport, Cheshire.

A post mortem is being carried out but it is not believed there are any suspicious circumstances.

Anoia, who was born in Hawaii but based in Las Vegas, leaves a wife and two young children. He came from a wrestling family and was recently seen on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast.

The wrestler, who weighed in excess of 500lbs, had been released by the World Wrestling Federation after he was unable to pass the New York State Athletic Commission physical.

During the 90s, he was a regular feature on WWF shows and was twice crowned their world champion, defeating names such as Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart.

Growth

Professional wrestling is currently enjoying a huge increase in growth and publicity in all parts of the world, although to many it remains somewhat idiosyncratic.

It remains an inherently dangerous occupation, as illustrated last year when another young wrestler, Owen Hart, plunged 150 feet to his death after a ring entrance went horribly wrong.

The roadshow, promoted by Big Time Wrestling Promotions, had already played to packed houses in Liverpool and Southport.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman would say only that the body of a 34-year-old man was found in a room at the Moat House Hotel, Liverpool, on Monday.