Naoya Ogawa

Naoya Ogawa (小川 直也 Ogawa Naoya, born 31 March 1968) is a Japanese former world judo champion, Olympic silver medalist, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He won a total of seven medals at the All-Japan Judo Championships (second only behind Yasuhiro Yamashita), and a set a record of seven medals at the World Judo Championships (tied with Robert van de Walle).

In professional wrestling, Ogawa was two-time National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight champion.

Biography

Ogawa Naoya first started in Judo in his high school years. He continued on in college attending Meiji University in 1986. In his second year at school he became a world freeclass champion, youngest in the history of Judo. He would go on to win many more championships before graduating from the College of Business Administration at Meiji University. Ogawa wasSilver medalist in judo of 1992 Summer Olympics, and placed fifth at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

In 1997 he was recruited by Antonio Inoki and was sent to train with Satoru Sayama. Ogawa made his debut against Shinya Hashimoto on April 12, 1997 at the Tokyo Dome wrestling with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Subsequently he was billed as Hashimoto's arch nemesis.

On March 14, 1999, Ogawa won the NWA world title from Dan Severn in Yokohama, Japan. Ogawa lost the title to Gary Steele in a three-way match that also involved Brian Anthony on September 25, 1999. Ogawa won the title back on October 2, 1999. ...
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