Kazuchika Okada Named Tokyo Sports MVP

IWGP Champion, Kazuchika Okada has won the Tokyo Sports’ MVP Award for 2019.  Okada is set to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom in January.

This is his fourth victory and fourth in four years. Five names were in the running for MVP this year, but the committee felt he has done the most to expand pro wrestling this year.

Kazuchika Okada has been named Tokyo Sports MVP for 2019!

Okada vs SANADA also won Match of the Year, Okada winning the award for an unprecedented sixth year straight!

Kota Ibushi won Best Technique!

Full report and winners' comments: https://t.co/VMoB30Jarb#njpw #ToSpo pic.twitter.com/kOS5gc9b4P

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 11, 2019

Okada spoke about his motivation during the press conference.

“Well first I want to not just win, but win in front of over 40,000 people and do the same on January 5.  This year the rugby was great and next year the Olympics will be in Japan as well. I don’t want pro wrestling to lose out.

That’s not the only award Okada won.  His title match at King of Pro Wrestling with Sanada won the match of the year award.

“That’s really nice. I called SANADA my rival, and a match I had with him was good enough to be chosen MotY. But then I would say the New Japan Cup match was worthy of that too, or the one in MSG, or the defense I had in London. I’ve had a lot of singles matches this year, but I’m happy that was chosen as the best… How many years in a row have I won that award now?”

He has won that award 6 years in a row.  There’s no doubt Okada is one of the best in the business.

However, he may be facing one of his toughest challenges at Wrestle Kingdom 14.  In fact, his opponent at Wrestle Kingdom, Kota Ibushi, won the award for Best Technique.

WrestleTalk will have coverage of the event on January 4 and 5, 2020.

 

• award
• kota ibushi
• Kazuchika Okada
• NJPW

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