Tor Kamata

Biography

Tor Kamata (born McRonald Kamaka, March 9, 1937 – July 23, 2007) was an American-Canadian professional wrestler best known for his work during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s as a classic wrestling heel. He competed in major promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), capturing notable titles including the AWA World Tag Team Championship and the PWF World Heavyweight Championship. Renowned for his aggressive in-ring style and controversial tactics—such as throwing salt into opponents’ eyes—Kamata became a recognizable figure in sports entertainment. His signature move, the “judo chop,” crossed into mainstream pop culture, referenced in media like Peanuts and later parodied in the Austin Powers films. He also wrestled under the name Dr. Moto and was managed by Freddie Blassie during his time in the WWWF. Kamata had memorable feuds with wrestling legends such as Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales, and left a lasting impact in wrestling territories across North America and Japan. Outside the ring, Kamata was a U.S. Air Force veteran, amateur wrestler, restaurant owner, and shiatsu therapist. He passed away on July 23, 2007, in Saskatoon, Canada, after nearly a decade battling heart disease.