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Shinya Koshika (小鹿 信也, Koshika Shinya, born April 28, 1942),[1] known by his ring name Great Kojika (グレート小鹿, Gurēto Kojika), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He co-founded the promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).[2][3][4][5][6] Kojika is the oldest active Japanese wrestler as well as the one with the longest career, having debuted in 1963. He is also the oldest active wrestler in the world.
After a few years in the United States, Kojika returned to Japan and stayed with Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance until the company folded on April 14, 1973.
Return to North America (1973–1974, 1980)
In 1973, Kojika returned to the United States to wrestle in Texas as Kung Fu Lee. He would feud with Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Ricky Romero and Akio Sato. He left Texas in 1974. In 1980, he went to Hawaii to work for NWA Polynesian.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1973–1986)
After the folding of JWA, Kojika went to Giant Baba's All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) where he reunited with Motoshi Okuma. From 1976 to 1981, he and Okuma won the All Asia Tag Team Championship three times. They were together until 1986 when Kojika retired from wrestling.
Big Japan Pro Wrestling (1995–2002)
Kojika returned to wrestling in 1995, co-founding Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) with Kazuo Sakurada where it was a style based on deathmatches and King's Road style. He started wrestling again in 1996. He retired for the second time in 2002. He continued co-promoting Big Japan.
Second return to wrestling (2006–present)
In 2006, Kojika return to wrestling for the second time. He still wrestles for Big Japan and numerous Japanese promotions at 80 years old.
Return to All Japan Pro Wrestling (2019)
Kojika returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2019 after having last worked for them in 1986.
