Duke Keomuka Explained

Duke Keomuka
Names:	Hisao Tanaka Duke Keomuka
Children:	Pat Tanaka
Birth Name:	Martin Hisao Tanaka
Birth Date:	April 22, 1921
Birth Place:	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Death Place:	Las Vegas, Nevada
Trainer:	Tsutao Higami
Debut:	1947^[1]

Martin Hisao Tanaka (April 22, 1921 – June 30, 1991)^[1] was an American professional wrestler better known as Duke Keomuka. He is the father of wrestler Pat Tanaka and referee Jimmy Tanaka.

Biography

Because he was a Japanese American in California during World War II, Tanaka was interned at Manzanar following the signing of Executive Order 9066.^[2]

In the 1950s, Keomuka formed a very successful tag team with Hiro Matsuda. Keomuka was also a top wrestler in the 1950s and the 1960s while competing in Texas before settling in Florida.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Keomuka died on June 30, 1991, at the age of 70. His son was scheduled for a match teaming up with Paul Diamond (who at the time worked as Kato of the Orient Express tag team) to take on Haku and The Barbarian but didn't arrive as his father died the day before the match, so his manager Mr. Fuji took his place.

Championships and achievements

• 50th State Big Time Wrestling

• NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Championship Wrestling from Florida

• NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (4 times) - with Hiro Matsuda
• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

• NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (2 times) - with Mr. Moto
• Midwest Wrestling Association

• MWA Ohio Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sato Keomuka
• Southwest Sports, Inc. / Big Time Wrestling

• NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)^{[6] [7]}

• NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (6 times)

• NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (14 times) - with Danny Savich (5), Ivan Kalmikoff (1), Mr. Moto (2), Don Evans (1), Tiny Mills (1), Kinji Shibuya (1), Tony Martin (1), Tokyo Joe (1) and John Tolos (1)^{[8] [9]}

• NWA World Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Taro Miyaki (2), Mr. Moto (1), Tony Martin (1), Antonio Inoki (1) and Fritz Von Erich (1)^{[10] [11]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wrestler Profiles: Duke Keomuka. Online World of Wrestling. 2008-05-05.
2. Web site: Japanese American Internee Data File: Hisao Tanaka. National Archives and Records Administration. 2019-08-17.
3. Book: Johnson. Steven. The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. Oliver. Greg. 2010-11-16. ECW Press. 978-1-55490-284-2. en.
4. Book: III, Harris M. Lentz. Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed.. 2003-10-21. McFarland. 978-0-7864-1754-4. en.
5. Book: Funk. Terry. Terry Funk: More Than Just Hardcore. Williams. Scott E.. June 2012. Skyhorse Publishing Inc.. 978-1-61321-097-0. en.
6. Book: Royal Duncan & Gary Will . Wrestling Title Histories . (Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title . 271 . Archeus Communications . 2006. 4th . 0-9698161-5-4.
7. Web site: Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas] ]. December 22, 2019 . Wrestling-Titles.
8. Book: Will . Gary . Royal . Duncan . Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present . Archeus Communications . 2000 . Pennsylvania . Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich] . 0-9698161-5-4 . 275–276.
9. Web site: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]]. December 27, 2019 . wrestling-titles.com.
10. Book: Royal . Duncan . Gary . Will . Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present . Pennsylvania . 2000 . Archeus Communications . 0-9698161-5-4 . Texas: NWA World Tag Team Title [Siegel, Boesch and McLemore].
11. Web site: National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas] ]. Wrestling-Titles . February 21, 2017.