MMA star Yamamoto dies of cancer

Tributes flowed yesterday for charismatic Japanese mixed martial artist Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, who died at age 41, three weeks after announcing a battle with cancer.

Born to a family of wrestlers and martial artists, the wiry, tattoo-covered Yamamoto took on larger opponents in a wide range of MMA events, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Yamamoto started wrestling at a young age under his father, who represented Japan at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Two of his sisters were also successful wrestlers.