Aaron Wolf (judoka)
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Aaron Phillip Wolf (ウルフ・アロン, Urufu Aron; Japanese surname: Kimura (木村); born 25 February 1996) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former judoka.[2] He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former NEVER Openweight Champion.
As a judoka, he won a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest and a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He is the son of a Japanese mother and an American father.[3] He retired from Judo in June 2025 to pursure a professional wrestling career and signed with NJPW.
Judo career
Wolf became the first athlete of U.S. descent to win the All-Japan Judo Championships with his victory on 29 April 2019. On 15 May 2019 he was promoted to 5th dan.
Wolf qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics,[4] and won the gold medal in the 100 kg competition at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.[5]
Wolf retired from Judo competition in June 2025.[6]
Professional wrestling career
On June 23, 2025, Wolf started his professional wrestling career by signing with the promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and announced he would make his in-ring debut at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.[7] On October 13, 2025 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Wolf appeared and attacked members of House of Torture after their leader Evil won the NEVER Openweight Championship.[8] At Wrestle Kingdom 20, Wolf defeated Evil for the title,[9] but lost it one month later against the new leader of House of Torture Ren Narita.[10]
Championships and accomplishments
References
- ^ "WOLF Aaron". Paris 2024 Olympics. International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Aaron Wolf". judoinside.com. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ Oki, Yui (24 July 2019). "Aaron Wolf Links Japan and U.S. Through Judo". American View. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Japan's Tokyo 2020-bound judo stars win gold at Asia-Oceania Judo Championships". www.insidethegames.biz. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "2020 Summer Olympics — Judo - Men 100 kg Schedule". 2020 Summer Olympics. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ "Judo: Tokyo Olympic champion Aaron Wolf to retire next June". Kyodo News. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "NJPW announces signing of Olympic gold medalist Aaron Wolf, debut set for Wrestle Kingdom". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Wannan, Jack (13 October 2025). "EVIL captures NEVER Openweight Championship off Boltin Oleg at King of Pro Wrestling, goes face-to-face with Aaron Wolf - POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW". POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ Michaels, Corey (3 January 2026). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi's final match". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ^ Michaels, Corey (10 February 2026). "NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Yota Tsuji vs. Jake Lee". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ https://www.njpw1972.com/champions/never
External links
- Aaron Wolf at the International Judo Federation
- Aaron Wolf at JudoInside.com
- Aaron Wolf at Internet Wrestling Database
- Aaron Wolf at Olympics.com
- Aaron Wolf at Olympedia
- Aaron Wolf at InterSportStats
- Aaron Wolf at The-Sports.org
- Aaron Wolf on Instagram
1972–1976: –93 kg • 1980–1996: –95 kg • 2000–: –100 kg | |
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World Judo Championships — Men's Half Heavyweight | |
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1967–75: −93 kg • 1979–97: −95 kg • 1999–present: −100 kg | |
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