New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual Best of the Super Junior Tournament concluded on June 1st, with Kosei Fujita making history by becoming the youngest winner ever. Fujita advanced to the finals after earning 10 points in a fiercely competitive block, tying with Hiromu Takahashi, Clark Connors, Master Woto, and Francis Kokira. Notably, eight of Fujita’s points came from defeating these top contenders, showcasing his impressive skill. His other victories included a win over Dragon Gate’s Dragon Dia. Fujita’s final opponent, Yoh, topped the B-block with 12 points, edging out DDT’s MAO and last year’s winner, the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Desperado.
After nearly 30 minutes of intense competition, Fujita emerged victorious, breaking the previous record held by AEW star Will Ospreay, who won the tournament at age 22 in 2016. Traditionally, the Best of the Super Junior winner challenges the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion at Osaka Jo Hall’s Dominion event, but this has not yet been confirmed. Fujita revealed that current champion El Desperado will have a final match with deathmatch legend Jun Kasai before facing him.
Fan Take: This historic win by Kosei Fujita is incredibly exciting for AEW fans, signaling the rise of fresh, young talent that could eventually cross over or partner with AEW wrestlers. It highlights the ongoing evolution of junior heavyweight wrestling, promising thrilling matches and new rivalries that can elevate the sport globally.
