Biography

Konosuke Takeshita is a Japanese professional wrestler signed with DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a two-time AEW International Champion. He made his NJPW debut in the 2024 G1 Climax, reaching the quarterfinals, then in 2025 won the NEVER Openweight Championship in January, the G1 Climax 35 in August, and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in October, before adding his first NJPW World Television Championship in February 2026. He began his professional wrestling career with DDT in 2012 at the age of 17 and quickly rose through the ranks as one of the promotion’s top stars before expanding internationally. During his career in DDT, he has been a five-time KO-D Openweight Champion, four-time KO-D Tag Team Champion, five-time KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champion, and four-time Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion. Frequently praised by fans, wrestling journalists, and fellow wrestlers, Takeshita is regarded as one of the most complete performers of his generation, known for his high match quality, physical intensity, technical precision, and ability to elevate opponents across multiple promotions and styles. He was ranked No. 5 in the PWI 500 in 2026, was voted Most Underrated by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 2022 and 2024, and won Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2025. Takeshita is married to fellow AEW wrestler Yuka Sakazaki, with the couple announcing their marriage in May 2025.