Hiromu Takahashi recently made history, becoming the first and only man to win three back to back to back Best of the Super Junior tournaments. This is just the latest addition to the already legendary resume of the 32 year old, who is also a four time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. However, despite all these accolades – he knows that he likely will never surpass the legend of Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger.
Hiromu Takahashi Knows He Can’t Surpass Liger, Plans To Carve His Own Legendary Path
While speaking with NJPW officials for a press conference following his latest BOSJ victory, Takahashi would be asked a variety of questions. Most notably, he’d be asked if he feels he’s surpassed the legacy of Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger, a man with whom Takahashi shared the ring with for his final match back in January of 2020. Takahashi would respond with the following.
“It doesn’t matter how many BOSJs I win, I won’t directly surpass Liger. It’s more about going at it from a different direction and doing something amazing in my own way.”
Liger is one of the most iconic wrestlers in NJPW history, who’s accomplishments include winning BOSJ in 1992, 1994 & 2001, six reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and a record eleven reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Takahashi Will Face Taiji Ishimori For The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Later This Month
The next challenge of Takahashi’s career will be on June 21st, when he meets the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori. Winning BOSJ is an accomplishment in itself, but it also grants the victor a title shot. Normally this would come at Dominion, but NJPW instead opted to put this match in front of a sold out crowd at the smaller Korakuen Hall – where they will have a chance to headline.
Ishimori & Takahashi have become legendary rivals over the past few years, with their finals match in 2018 being considered the greatest match in Junior Heavyweight history within NJPW. They’ve never quite met those heights again, but always give incredible performances. Takahashi would actually defeat Ishimori during this years tournament to win A-Block, giving him a mental edge coming into this title match. This could lead to Takahashi’s fifth reign as champion.
Could Hiromu Takahashi build a legacy to match that of Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger by the time his career is done? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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