Takahiro Katori

Takahiro Katori
Katori in July 2023
Born (1999-06-13) 13 June 1999 (age 25)[1]
Koga, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Takahiro Katori
Billed height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Billed weight76 kg (168 lb)
Trained byKazunori Yoshida
Debut2017

Takahiro Katori (香取貴大, Katori Takahiro) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Eagle Pro Wrestling. He is also known for his tenure with Pro Wrestling Freedoms where he is a former King of Freedom World Junior Heavyweight Champion.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Japanese independent circuit (2017–present)

Katori made his first appearance in the Tenryu Project's Ryūkon Cup at the 2023 edition of the tournament in which he fell short to Naoki Tanizaki in the first rounds.[4] In All Japan Pro Wrestling, Katori made his first appearance on the first night of the AJPW New Year Giant Series 2024 from January 2, where he competed in the traditional battle royal won by Ryo Inoue and also involving various other notable opponents such as Naruki Doi, Hideki Suzuki, Yuma Anzai and Yuma Aoyagi.[5]

Eagle Pro Wrestling (2017–present)

Katori made his professional wrestling debut in Eagle Pro Wrestling at EAGLE Koyama New Era, a house show promoted on May 28, 2017, where he fell short to Taro Yamada in singles competition.[6] While he is still signed with the promotion, Katori's main field of activity is the Japanese independent circuit.[2]

Pro Wrestling Freedoms (2017–present)

Katori made his debut in Pro Wrestling Freedoms at FREEDOMS/Takashi Sasaki Produce Show, an event promoted on December 26, 2017, where he teamed up with Kazunori Yoshida and Hiroyuki Kondo and competed in a one-night Country Battle Tournament in which they defeated Grandpa Sho Mask 4, Kengo Takai and Michio Kageyama in the first rounds, then fell short to Gurukun Mask, Hija Kidman and Ultra Soki in the semifinals.[7]

Katori is a former King of Freedom World Junior Heavyweight Champion, title which he won at The Gekokujō 2024 on March 22, by defeating Jun Masaoka.[8] He lost the title at FREEDOMS 15th Anniversary on September 15, 2024, to Yuya Susumu.[9] He also competed for other championships of the promotions such as the King of Freedom World Tag Team Championship, title for which he challenged at FREEDOMS/Jun Kasai Produce Blood X'Mas 2023 on December 25, where he teamed up with Minoru Fujita, only to get outmatched by ERE (Kyu Mogami and Toshiyuki Sakuda).[10]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2023)

Katori briefly competed in NJPW as a developmental talent. He made his first appearance at the first night of the NJPW Independence Day event from July 4, 2023, where he teamed up with Dragon Libre and Kengo in a losing effort against Oskar Leube, Yoh and Ryusuke Taguchi.[11] One night later at the second part of the event, he teamed up with Libre and Rekka in a losing effort against Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato and Boltin Oleg.[12] On the second night of the 2023 Destruction event from October 9, Katori teamed up with Takeshi Masada, Kazuma Sumi, Kengo, and Jun Masaoka in a losing effort against Chaos (Yoshi-Hashi, Toru Yano and Yoh), Tiger Mask and Ryusuke Taguchi.[13]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Takahiro Katori • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Takahiro Katori/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  3. ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Takahiro Katori Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  4. ^ 拳剛　龍魂杯優勝　１年３カ月ぶり来場の天龍源一郎氏と祝う「天龍さんから教わったプロレスで盛り上げる」. Daily Sports (in Japanese). 19 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  5. ^ Black, Ethan (2 January 2024). "AJPW New Year Giant Series Night 1 Results – January 2, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  6. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2017). "EAGLE Koyama New Era". cagematch.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  7. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (26 December 2017). "FREEDOMS/Takashi Sasaki Produce Show ~ Pro-Wrestling Sengoku-Jidai". cagematch.net. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. ^ 2024.3.22　東京・後楽園ホール [2024.3.22 Tokyo, Korakuen Hall]. Pro Wrestling Freedoms (in Japanese). 22 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024.
  9. ^ Black, Ethan (15 September 2024). "Freedoms 15th Anniversary Show Results – September 15, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ^ Dark Angelita (7 January 2024). "Freedoms:«Bloody X'Mas 2023» Masashi Takeda se corona". Superluchas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  11. ^ Fritts, Chick (4 July 2023). "NJPW Strong Independence Day night one live results: Doomsday No DQ match Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & Jun Kasai headlines today's show". F4wonline.com. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  12. ^ "NJPW STRONG Independence Day Results (7/5): New champions crowned". POSTWrestling. 5 July 2023.
  13. ^ Fritts, Chick (9 October 2023). "NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku live results: SANADA vs. EVIL lumberjack match. The IWGP World Heavyweight title is on the line in the main event". F4wonline.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.