Professional wrestlers take Pyongyang

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Japan's former pro-wrestler turned politician, Antonio Inoki, and other professional wrestlers staged an exhibition wrestling match before a pro-event in Pyongyang on Friday (August 29), local media said.

North Korea's state-run television KRT broadcast footage showing Inoki and his party in a gymnasium downtown and then participating in outdoor events, including tug-of war and arm wrestling.

Seoul's Yonhap news agency said Inoki will be hosting the two-day Pyongyang International Pro-Wrestling Contest, which is scheduled to open at the Ryugyong Chung Ju-yung Gymnasium on Saturday. The contest features former NFL linebacker Bob Sapp.

Inoki along with pro-wrestlers arrived into Pyongyang on Thursday.

Raised in Brazil, the 6 ft 3 inch (1.91 m) lawmaker Inoki once famously fought against Muhammad Ali in a 1976 exhibition match in Tokyo.

He is hosting his second wrestling showdown in North Korea after his 1995 "Collision