Yuki Sato (wrestler)

Yuki Sato
Sato in January 2023
Born (1985-11-25) November 25, 1985 (age 39)
Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Kenbai
Marines Mask[1]
Son Goku[2]
Yuki Sato
Yuko Sato
Haoh
Amakusa
Billed height0.00 m (0 in)
Billed weight0 kg (0 lb)
Trained byDick Togo
Hideki Nishida
DebutOctobre 22, 2005

Yuki Sato (佐藤悠己, Satō Yūki) (born November 25, 1985)[3] is a Japanese professional wrestler. As of 2019, he is currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he performs under the ring name Amakusa (/ɑːmɔːksɑː/ AH-mawk-SAH, stylized in all caps), and is the current GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion in his second reign. He previously wrestled in Noah as Haoh (覇王, Haō), in Kaientai Dojo under his real name, and in Michinoku Pro Wrestling as Kenbai (剣舞, Kenbai).

As Amakusa, named after Amakusa Shirō, Sato's gimmick is that of the last remaining energy left from the Shimabara Rebellion in the Shimabara Peninsula in what is now Nagasaki Prefecture, where 37,000 Japanese Christians (Kirishitans) were killed by the Tokugawa shogunate. He had become vengeful and sought a human form, seeking to rid of the past of the conflicts during and after the rebellion. As Haoh, alongside Hiroki Tanabe, who portrayed Nioh, he is represented from Niō entrance guards in Japanese Buddhist temples. As Kenbai, he is of Iwate origin, and is inspired from a Buddhist ritualistic dance.

Career

After training with Dick Togo and debuting in one of his Super Crew events, Sato started working as an independent wrestler and wandered around Michinoku Pro Wrestling, Dramatic Dream Team, El Dorado Wrestling, Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Kaientai Dojo, in all of them wrestling under his true name. In March 2009, he was given in Michinoku Pro the gimmick of Kenbai, a traditional onikenbai dancer. He also became a member of Big Japan Pro Wrestling's under-card.

In December 2019 he moved to Pro Wrestling Noah as Haoh, and began teaming regularly with the former Hi69, who took the name Nioh. In January 2022, however, after being unable to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship despite several shots, Haoh turned on Nioh, and on April 29 Haoh defeated Nioh in a "loser must change his name" match. On June 23, however, Haoh lost a "loser leaves town" match to Tadasuke, with which he took time off in order to return on an independent card in Tlalpan, Mexico, repackaged as Amakusa, a gimmick he kept upon returning to Japan and NOAH on November 11. On December 12, Amakusa defeated Dante Leon to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time, and on March 9, 2023, he successfully defended the title against his former partner Hi69.

Championships and accomplishments

Sato as Kenbai in 2014
  • 4FW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Guts World Pro-Wrestling

References

  1. ^ "Club-K 3000". Kaientai Dojo (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  2. ^ "新北京プロレス Japan Tour 2009 in Shinjuku Face". Dramatic Dream Team (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  3. ^ "Profile at Puroresu Central". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
  4. ^ "Club-K Tour in Kitakami 〜復興支援チャリティー大会〜". Kaientai Dojo (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  5. ^ "K-Special 〜年内最終興行〜". Kaientai Dojo (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  6. ^ "K-Award 2015 受賞結果". Kaientai Dojo (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  7. ^ "K-Award 2017 受賞結果". Kaientai Dojo (in Japanese). 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2017-12-23.