Kōnosuke Takeshita

Kōnosuke Takeshita is a Japanese professional wrestler who has become one of the most accomplished performers of his generation, working across multiple major promotions. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the current AEW International Champion in his second reign, and also competes for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as the current NJPW World Television Champion. In Japan, he remains a cornerstone of DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he is a five-time KO-D Openweight Champion and holds the record as the youngest champion in that title's history.

Takeshita's style blends technical precision with high-impact strikes and aerial moves, earning him praise from peers and fans alike. He has headlined major events in both Japan and the United States, including AEW All In at Wembley Stadium and NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom. His 2025 G1 Climax victory cemented his status as a top-tier talent, and he continues to be a bridge between the Japanese and American wrestling scenes.

Fans admire his stoic intensity in the ring and his relentless pursuit of excellence. He is known for his black-and-gold ring attire and the signature chant of his name that echoes through arenas. As of 2026, he holds championships in two of the world's biggest promotions and shows no signs of slowing down.[edit]

Takeshita grew up in Osaka, Japan, where he developed a passion for professional wrestling as a child. He watched Japanese promotions like DDT and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, idolizing wrestlers such as Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. He was an active, athletic child and began mimicking wrestling moves he saw on television.

After completing his secondary education in Osaka, he decided against attending university and instead enrolled in the DDT Pro-Wrestling dojo. He trained under the DDT system, which emphasizes a mix of technical wrestling and high-flying maneuvers. His professional debut came in 2012, wrestling against fellow trainees in undercard matches. His raw athleticism and potential were quickly recognized, and in 2013, he was named Rookie of the Year by Tokyo Sports, a major industry accolade that put him on the map.[edit]

Takeshita's breakthrough came on May 29, 2016, his 21st birthday, when he defeated Shigehiro Irie to win the KO-D Openweight Championship for the first time. At 21 years and 0 days old, he became the youngest champion in the title's history, a record that still stands. This victory established him as a top star in DDT, and he went on to win the championship four more times.

In 2019, he won both the King of DDT Tournament and the D-Oh Grand Prix, and he repeated both feats in 2021. He also won the Ultimate Tag League in 2021. His success in DDT led to opportunities abroad, and in 2022 he signed with AEW. He debuted as part of the Forbidden Door relationship between AEW and DDT, initially aligning with the Don Callis Family. In 2024, he captured the AEW International Championship at All In, defeating MJF in front of a massive crowd at Wembley Stadium.

In NJPW, Takeshita won the NEVER Openweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in 2025. He then won the prestigious G1 Climax tournament in August 2025, defeating Kazuchika Okada in the finals. At Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, he made history by winning both the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and the NJPW World Television Championship on the same night. He regained the AEW International Championship in March 2026 at AEW Revolution, defeating Will Ospreay.[edit]

Takeshita is known for his athletic, high-impact wrestling style that combines strikes, suplexes, and aerial moves. He typically wears black and gold ring attire and maintains a stoic, focused demeanor in the ring. In AEW, he is presented as a heel aligned with the Don Callis Family, while in NJPW he is a top babyface. Fans often chant his name in a rhythmic "TA-KE-SHI-TA" during his matches. In Japan, supporters wave towels and clap rhythmically. On social media, he posts primarily in Japanese, sharing match announcements, training photos, and behind-the-scenes content with a professional and grateful tone.[edit]

Kōnosuke Takeshita has cultivated a devoted following that bridges the gap between Japanese wrestling purists and international fans, united by his technical mastery and high-octane style. While there is no formalized collective noun for his supporters, the community is defined by distinct rituals: in North America, crowds chant his name rhythmically as "TA-KE-SHI-TA," while in Japan, fans wave towels and clap in unison during his matches. His reputation as one of the most skilled performers globally drives organic interest, particularly through his dominant reign as AEW International Champion and his intense rivalry with Kazuchika Okada. These storylines, including their six-star rated match at AEW All In London, have cemented his status as a modern legend without relying on ancient folklore or viral myths from decades past.

Despite his massive global footprint and critical acclaim, Kōnosuke Takeshita does not currently hold a placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing, but he remains unranked in the current tiering system. This absence of a numeric position reflects a specific evaluation window rather than a lack of influence, as his consumption signals and media coverage remain exceptionally high across multiple continents.[edit]

His ring name is stylized in all caps as TAKESHITA, a common practice in Japanese wrestling. He cites Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi as his biggest inspirations. Takeshita speaks Japanese as his primary language and has been learning English since joining AEW. A fan of video games and anime, he shares these interests with many peers from his generation. His debut match in 2012 was against a fellow trainee, and he holds the record as the youngest KO-D Openweight Champion at 21 years old.

A defining chapter of his modern legacy involves his complex rivalry with Kazuchika Okada, which culminated in a highly anticipated six-star rated match at AEW All In London. Fans still discuss the dramatic moment when Kyle Fletcher attacked Takeshita post-match at AEW Double or Nothing, setting up a major three-way title conflict. During G1 Climax 36, Takeshita's performance in the A Block, where he eliminated top competitors like Sanada, reinforced his standing as a premier global talent capable of headlining major events worldwide.[edit]

Takeshita is known to be very private about his family. He has not publicly named his parents or siblings. He has no known children and does not share details about his household. He currently lives in the United States part-time for his AEW commitments while maintaining a residence in Japan.[edit]

Takeshita has worked extensively with top stars across multiple promotions. He feuded with Kenny Omega in AEW and considers him a mentor. He had a major rivalry with Will Ospreay, headlining AEW Revolution 2026. He defeated Kazuchika Okada in the G1 Climax 35 finals, citing Okada as a major influence. He is managed by Don Callis in AEW. He also had notable matches against Shingo Takagi, MJF, and Zack Sabre Jr.[edit]

Kōnosuke Takeshita has kept his personal life extremely private throughout his career. There are no confirmed public romantic relationships on record. He has never been married, engaged, or publicly linked to any partner. In interviews, he has stated that he prioritizes his wrestling career above personal relationships. As of 2026, he is reportedly single with no known romantic involvement.[edit]

As of 2026, Kōnosuke Takeshita's estimated net worth is $3 Million, a figure attributed to iFANN's editorial analysis. His primary income comes from his AEW salary, which is estimated at $500,000 to $1 million per year for his upper-midcard position. He also earns from NJPW appearances, estimated at $100,000 to $200,000 annually, and a smaller salary from DDT Pro-Wrestling of around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. Merchandise sales, including t-shirts and action figures, contribute an estimated $100,000 to $200,000 in royalties. He has no publicly known major brand endorsements or real estate holdings. His net worth has grown significantly since signing with AEW in 2022, driven by increased visibility and championship wins.[edit]

Takeshita has won multiple championships and tournaments across DDT, NJPW, and AEW. He is a five-time KO-D Openweight Champion, two-time King of DDT Tournament winner, and two-time D-Oh Grand Prix winner. He won the G1 Climax in 2025 and the AEW International Championship twice. He was named Rookie of the Year by Tokyo Sports in 2013.[edit]