SANADA has cemented himself as the longest-reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in the history of professional wrestling.
As of November 5th, SANADA has held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for 212 days, breaking the 211-day reign of Shingo Takagi, who previously held the title from June 2021 to January 2022.
SANADA won the IWGP World Heavyweight Title on April 8, defeating Kazuchika Okada at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2023.
In other NJPW news, Will Ospreay successfully defended the IWGP US/UK Championship against Shota Umino at NJPW Power Struggle 2023.
Ospreay later took to Instagram to praise Umino for his performance. He wrote,
“Wrestling is combat mainly between 2 athletes with a goal to better the other.
But it can also be a story. A story that isn’t quite as know than my other stories.
Back in 2021 myself & Shota were both lost trying to find who we were inside the ring & in real life. Within our battles Shota has helped me understand who I am as a man.
There’s a bond there between us that only a certain amount of people will know the true extent of my gratitude towards him.
Last night I spent 40 minutes in a ring I call my home opposite you. The moment the bell rung a weight lifted off my shoulders and a sense of clarity hit.
You’ve become become a man in front of all our eyes.
You can say you’re BCC but to me you’ll always be Ospreay Dojo. I’m very proud of you lad.”
Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/LHApo2CLHI
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) November 5, 2023
