National

Canadian Wrestling Legend Bret (Hitman) Hart Says He Has Prostate Cancer

Darpan News Desk, 01 Feb, 2016 11:41 AM

Canadian professional wrestler Bret Hart says he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery "in the next few days."

Posting on his verified Instagram account, the Calgary-born grappler known as "The Hitman" said he was about to face his "toughest battle."

The 58-year-old has had serious health issues before.

He suffered a significant stroke in 2002 that left him partially paralyzed, but made a successful recovery.

Hart was born into a legendary wrestling family led by his father Stu Hart, the founder of Calgary's Stampede Wrestling promotion.

Monday's Instagram post had more than 8,000 likes within an hour of it going up.

"With hesitation and fear, I openly declare myself in my fight against prostate cancer," Hart said.

It is with great remorse that I feel compelled to speak truthfully to my friends, family and my millions of fans around the world. In the past few years, I've spent more than enough time paying the price for all those years trying to be the best there ever was as a professional wrestler. I executed excellently and my proudest claim was that I never seriously hurt or injured another wrestler in my 23 year career. I've paid a price for all that "fake" wrestling ... Mark Helprin wrote: "We are all perfect clocks that Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into a lifelong dance." I've had a great lifelong dance and I'm a survivor of many hard battles. I now face my toughest battle. With hesitation and fear, I openly declare myself in my fight against prostate cancer. In the next few days, I will undergo surgery with the hope of defeating this nemesis once and for all. My fans have always looked upon me as a hero and I've always done my best to live up to that in and out of the ring. I beat the odds when I suffered my stroke in 2002, but it is now yet again, that I ... stand unafraid and face the tough road ahead of me, I will march toward this destiny with his spirit chanting in my ear. I make a solemn vow to all of those that once believed in me, the dead and the living, that I will wage my fearsome fight against cancer with one shield and one sword carrying my determination and my fury for life, emboldened by all the love that's kept me going this long already. Love is my weapon and I've got much of it around me all the time, for which I'm truly blessed and eternally grateful. My children, grandchildren, and my loving wife Steph have been and will constantly be at my side. I refuse to lose, I will never give in or give up, and I will win this battle or die trying. Most important of all, I hope can take the fight to prostate cancer. To be a leader in awareness and to set the example for men everywhere who find themselves in my very same shoes, that prostate cancer can be beaten. B x

A photo posted by Bret (@brethitmanhart) on Feb 1, 2016 at 8:28am PST

He made his debut in the WWF (now WWE) in 1984 and rose to fame as a member of the Hart Foundation with tag-team partner Jim (The Anvil) Neidhart.

Hart went on to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship five times before an acrimonious split with the promotion.

He joined rival WCW, where he won the heavyweight title four times.

Hart has since mended fences with WWE and was inducted into the promotion's Hall of Fame in 2006.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's Spy Agency Wants Ban In B.C. Terror Trial For Secrets Of National Security

Canada's spy agency is back in court asking that information about its involvement in a British Columbia terrorism probe be kept secret from the public.

Canada's Spy Agency Wants Ban In B.C. Terror Trial For Secrets Of National Security

Quebec Police Shoot, Kill Man Allegedly Brandishing Chainsaw Near Montreal

Deux-Montagnes regional police officers were called to deal with a family dispute early this morning and found the 52-year-old man with the motor-driven saw, which they say was running.

Quebec Police Shoot, Kill Man Allegedly Brandishing Chainsaw Near Montreal

Saskatchewan Says Refugees Taxing Resources, But No Need To Delay Arrivals

REGINA — Saskatchewan Immigration Minister Jeremy Harrison says the arrival of nearly 600 refugees over the last couple of months is taxing resources.

Saskatchewan Says Refugees Taxing Resources, But No Need To Delay Arrivals

Vancouver Liable For Woman's Jail Treatment, But Restraint Device 'Justified'

Provincial Court Judge Laura Bakan ruled that although the use of the hobble was justified to monitor O'Shea's safety, the situation shouldn't have escalated to the point where it was needed.

Vancouver Liable For Woman's Jail Treatment, But Restraint Device 'Justified'

BC Hydro Seeks Injunction Against Site C Dam Protesters In Province's North

A months-long dispute is heating up between BC Hydro and a small group of First Nations and landowners who are protesting the construction of the $9-billion Site C dam.

BC Hydro Seeks Injunction Against Site C Dam Protesters In Province's North

B.C.'s First Coastal Cable Ferry To Begin Carrying Passengers, Cars, On Friday

So-called soft sailings start Friday as the $15-million Baynes Sound Connector carries some cars and passengers while the soon-to-be retired Quinitsa handles the rest of the regularly scheduled sailings.