Tokyo Sports has announced its 2022 award winners.
Kazuchika Okada won the MVP award, as he garnered 15 out of 17 editorial votes. In doing so, he won the award for the fifth time. The only individual who won the award more times was the late Antonio Inoki, a six-time MVP. Okada shared his thoughts on his win in an interview with NJPW’s official website.
“I’m definitely delighted to win this award in this important year,” Okada said. “I had wanted Mr. Inoki to come and watch a match this year, and it’s definitely a shame that he couldn’t do that. But taking this award is something that I’m sure he’ll be happy to see looking on, and I obviously plan to keep riding this wave, to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at his memorial event to do him proud again.”
Okada also won the Best Bout Award alongside Will Ospreay for their match at the G1 Climax Final.
Congratulations to Kazuchika Okada on being voted the 2022 Tokyo Sports pro-wrestling MVP!
Okada vs Ospreay MOTY!
Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb take best tag team!
O-Khan Fighting Spirit award!Lindaman takes Best Technique, Syuri female MVP!https://t.co/xwwutnLEbL#njpw pic.twitter.com/CCNtK7maPX
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 15, 2022
The full list of winners is as follows:
- MVP: Kazuchika Okada (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
- Best Bout: New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Final (August 18, Nippon Budokan) Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
- Best Tag Team: Great O Khan & Jeff Cobb (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
- Outstanding Performance Award: Kento Miyahara (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
- Fighting Spirit Award: Great O Khan (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
- Technique Award: El Lindaman (GLEAT)
- Women’s Wrestling Grand Prize: Syuri (Stardom)
- Newcomer Award: Yuma Anzai (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
- Professional Wrestling Grand Prize Honor Award: The late Antonio Inoki
Okada will challenge Jay White for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. Check out the updated card here.
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