It has been confirmed by several outlets that Atsushi Aoki has passed away.
As reported by Nikkan Sports and several other Japan-based news outlets, former 3-time All Asia Tag Team Champion Atsushi Aoki passed away by way of a motorcycle accident. The report from Nikkan Sports notes that at 10:30 PM on June 3rd (JST), Aoki was involved in a accident in the tunnel of the capitol expressway in Tokyo and he later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. It is also noted that he was unable to turn a curve and that is what led to the accident. Aoki was on his way to work before the incident occurred.
プロレスラー青木篤志さん死亡 首都高でバイク事故、壁に激突かhttps://t.co/cZn7qcerCq #青木篤志さん #全日本プロレス
— 日刊スポーツ (@nikkansports) June 4, 2019
Shocked. I’m reading that Atsushi Aoki has passed away in Japan after a motorcycle accident. I had the privilege to share the ring with Aoki many times. Phenomenally talented, good hearted. Damn. This is stunning. https://t.co/xBviFx5005
— KASSIUS (KASH-US) (@KassiusOhno) June 4, 2019
Atsushi was 41 years old and he began wrestling in high school as a part of his school's wrestling team and then began training at the Pro Wrestling NOAH dojo in 2005. He made appearances for Dragon Gate and Zero-1 MAX early in his career. Atsushi had a run in AAA in 2010 and joined All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2013 and has been with the promotion since. Aoki last wrestled on June 2nd of this year in a tag match for AJPW's Super Power Series.
Here are more articles and tributes to Atsushi Aoki:
Really Saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Atsushi Aoki.
— Joe Coffey (@Joe_Coffey) June 4, 2019
I had the chance to wrestle him and be around him training and at shows. a top pro who from watching him and training with him made me get the most out of everything.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/Q5QZMl3j8g
2/2
— Joe Coffey (@Joe_Coffey) June 4, 2019
I was hoping somewhere down the road we would have got to lock up and do it again
A pleasure to be around and in the ring with.
Rest In Peace
Atsushi Aoki.
Incredibly sad. Sending love to all of Aoki’s friends, family and fans pic.twitter.com/cfwEkP4VGR
— KASSIUS (KASH-US) (@KassiusOhno) June 4, 2019
プロレスラーの青木篤志さん死亡 首都高でバイク事故 https://t.co/tJoOWJsReQ
— 47NEWS (@47news) June 4, 2019
Fightful would like to send our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Atsushi Aoki.
