The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Richard John Beyer (The Destroyer)
[ Background ]
Known by his ring name, "The Destroyer", Mr. Richard John Beyer is still one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan, even after retiring professionally in 1993. He started his career in 1954 in the United States and has been actively engaged in Japan since 1963. Throughout his wrestling career, he contributed to the promotion of sports exchanges between Japan and the U.S. and to the development of Japanese professional wrestling. For these contributions, the Consul General of Japan in New York conferred him with the Consul General’s commendation in April of 2012.
Known by his ring name, "The Destroyer", Mr. Richard John Beyer is still one of the most popular wrestlers in Japan, even after retiring professionally in 1993. He started his career in 1954 in the United States and has been actively engaged in Japan since 1963. Throughout his wrestling career, he contributed to the promotion of sports exchanges between Japan and the U.S. and to the development of Japanese professional wrestling. For these contributions, the Consul General of Japan in New York conferred him with the Consul General’s commendation in April of 2012.
[ Achievements for Japan ]
(1) Promotion of Japanese professional wrestling
Mr. Beyer boosted and contributed to the popularization of Japanese professional wrestling through his bouts, garnering remarkable TV program ratings for his matches against Rikido-zan on May 24, 1963, and against Mr. Toyonobori on February 26, 1965. He also contributed to an increase in professional wrestling fans in Japan and contributed to the fostering of understanding towards Americans in Japan.
(2) Promotion of sports exchanges
Mr. Beyer has contributed to the promotion of sports exchanges between youth from Japan and the U.S. since 1988 by sending young U.S. wrestling and swimming teams to Japan and, in turn, by hosting Japanese wrestling teams. He also assisted in introducing a newly created sports in Japan, Park Golf, to the U.S.
(3) Ongoing charitable activities
Mr. Beyer donated to social service organizations by signing autographs for charity at an annual summer festival in Tokyo for over three decades. For this contribution, he received a letter of appreciation from the Mayor of Minato, Tokyo on August 24, 2009. To provide disaster assistance for survivors of the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake, he hosted a fundraiser in the U.S. and was featured at a charity professional wrestling match in Japan.
(1) Promotion of Japanese professional wrestling
Mr. Beyer boosted and contributed to the popularization of Japanese professional wrestling through his bouts, garnering remarkable TV program ratings for his matches against Rikido-zan on May 24, 1963, and against Mr. Toyonobori on February 26, 1965. He also contributed to an increase in professional wrestling fans in Japan and contributed to the fostering of understanding towards Americans in Japan.
(2) Promotion of sports exchanges
Mr. Beyer has contributed to the promotion of sports exchanges between youth from Japan and the U.S. since 1988 by sending young U.S. wrestling and swimming teams to Japan and, in turn, by hosting Japanese wrestling teams. He also assisted in introducing a newly created sports in Japan, Park Golf, to the U.S.
(3) Ongoing charitable activities
Mr. Beyer donated to social service organizations by signing autographs for charity at an annual summer festival in Tokyo for over three decades. For this contribution, he received a letter of appreciation from the Mayor of Minato, Tokyo on August 24, 2009. To provide disaster assistance for survivors of the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake, he hosted a fundraiser in the U.S. and was featured at a charity professional wrestling match in Japan.
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