Kazuchika Okada has won the G1 Climax 32 Tournament, defeating Will Ospreay in a hard-fought final.
Another instalment of the G1 Climax is now in the books, and it ended with another win for the man many regard as the best wrestler in the world today, Kazuchika Okada.
Heading into the bout, Okada held a 6-1 record over Ospreay, with the British star keen to improve and overthrow his rival on one of the biggest stages of all.
Despite going into the match with a heavily taped neck, the battle scars of a gruelling tournament, Ospreay pulled out just about everything he could think of in victory. At various points he hit Okada with a Styles Clash, High Fly Flow, Cross-Legged Tombstone and Hidden Blade, but somehow his rival fought back.
After a brutal series of elbows to one another, Ospreay took the advantage with a Hook Kick, he attempted to hit the Stormbreaker and Hidden Blade but Okada had answers to them both and was able to hit a final Rainmaker to win the match and G1 Climax 32.
The win moves Okada into a clear second place on the all-time list with four victories in the prestigious tournament. He had previously shared that honour with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiroshi Tanahashi who both have three wins. Masahiro Chono currently leads the way with five victories.
New Japan have held an annual tournament under various guises since 1974, with Antonio Inoki racking up 10 wins between it’s inception and 1988.
Okada’s victory has also secured a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17. The event is set to return to being a one-night show, and will take place at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th 2023.
You can find details on all of the action from finals night here.