Masato Yoshino

Masato Yoshino
Yoshino in 2009
Born (1980-07-17) July 17, 1980 (age 44)[1]
Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Masato Yoshino[1]
Yoshino[1]
Yossino[1]
Speed Star
Sexy Tarzan
Billed height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Billed weight74 kg (163 lb)[1]
Trained byÚltimo Dragón[1]
Jorge "Skayde" Rivera[1]
DebutSeptember 2, 2000[1]
RetiredAugust 1, 2021

Masato Yoshino (吉野正人, Yoshino Masato, born July 17, 1980)[1] is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, best known for working in Dragon Gate,[2] where he was known as Speed Star. Dragon Gate's second Grand Slam champion, having been a record six-time Open the Brave Gate Champion, four-time Open the Dream Gate Champion and two-time King of Gate winner, Yoshino was one of the most decorated and longest-tenured wrestlers in Dragon Gate. He made his debut in 2000 as part of Toryumon's Toryumon 2000 Project, where he graduated as part of the 7th term.

In his nearly 21-year professional wrestling career, he notably also wrestled for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling NOAH and Dragon Gate USA (Dragon Gate's United States expansion). He also was influential on many professional wrestlers, both in Japan and the rest of the world due to his high-flying technique and advanced move-set. He retired on August 1, 2021,[3] where he and Naruki Doi were defeated by Eita and long-time rival BxB Hulk.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Cagematch profile". Cagematch. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  2. ^ "INDY NEWS: Dragon Gate USA DVD Review". All Wrestling. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Dragon Gate Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival 2021 - Tag 2: Speed Star Final « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch. Retrieved 1 August 2021.