Top 10 most successful Japanese wrestlers of all time (2023)

Japan is the spiritual home of fighting sports with a rich culture and heritage of martial arts like Sumo and Karate. More recently, Japan has also developed a reputation for having world-class wrestlers. Let's look at some of the most successful Japanese wrestlers ever.

Japan has produced many good fighters due to the high value attached to martial arts throughout its history. It is the birthplace of Jujitsu and Karate. Professional wrestling picked up steam in the late 20th century. Fans call it 'Puroresu', an abbreviation of 'pro wrestling'. Here are some athletes considered icons of the sport in Japan.

10. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Hiroshi is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of wrestling. Since his debut in 1999, he has won over 27 titles in several other countries.

9. Kenta Kobayashi

Kenta is famous in Japan and America for his energetic displays in the ring. He currently fights in the WWE and the New Japan Pro Wrestling circuit.

8. Satoru Sayamu

Satoru is an influential figure in global combat sports. Aside from winning titles in wrestling, he was a pioneer of Japanese Mixed Martial arts. He also started the Japanese wrestling promotion Real Japan pro wrestling. Fans knew him as the Tiger mask due to his facial headgear.

7. Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada is one of the best Japanese wrestlers still fighting in 2023. His reign as IWGP heavyweight champion from 2013 to 2014 is the longest in history. It lasted 720 days.

6. Riki Chosu

Riki was originally from South Korea. He moved to Japan in the 60s to start his wrestling career. He saw widespread success in the '80s and '90s, winning bouts worldwide. He was inducted into the International professional wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022.

5. Antonio Inoki

Inoki is one of Japan's most all-rounded fighters. Aside from Puroresu, he was also a mixed martial arts champion. He was the first active wrestler elected into the Japanese house of councillors in 1989. After leaving wrestling, he continued with politics until 2019. He passed away in 2022.

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4. Mitsuhara Misawa

Mitsuhara Misawa is regarded as one of the best pro wrestlers ever. He was skilful and agile in the ring. He met his untimely demise in 2009 during a GHC tag teams championship fight against Saito and Smith.

3. Jushin Thunder Liger

Keichi Yamada got the nickname Jushin Thunder Liger from an anime series of that title. He has fought in Japan and also in the WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.

2. The Great Muta

Keiji Muto, also known as 'The Great Muta', was among the most dominant wrestlers in the 80's and 90s. He is responsible for starting the trend of masked Japanese wrestlers that remains popular. He retired in 2022, aged 60.

1. Rikidōzan

Many consider Riki Dozan the first globally known superstar of Japanese professional wrestling. Born Kim Sin- Rak in Korea, he moved to Japan in 1940 to become a Sumo wrestler. He started wrestling in 1951 and built his reputation by beating multiple American wrestlers. He was killed in 1963 after an altercation at a Tokyo nightclub.

All those wrestlers on the list above have brought great joy to wrestling fans globally. They deserve to be remembered as icons and masters of their trade.

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