MOROIKA -- Professional wrestler and prefectural assembly member The Great Sasuke, who has stirred controversy by attending sessions by wearing an outrageous wrestling mask, has decided to run in the upcoming Iwate gubernatorial race, his aids have said.

Sasuke, 37, whose real name is Masanori Murakawa, will officially announce his candidacy at a news conference in the prefectural capital of Morioka on Sunday, staff members of his office said.

A native of Morikoa, Sasuke was elected to his first term as a member of the Iwate Prefectural Assembly from the Morioka constituency in the 2003 election. (Mainichi)