:Sonoko Kato

Kato had an excessive sports history in her childhood, practising track and field and volleyball in elementary school, handball in junior high school and javelin in high school. Despite her father's objections, she eventually followed her childhood dream, to be a professional wrestler, and took part in a professional wrestling audition held by Chigusa Nagayo. After passing the audition, Kato began training with Nagayo in October 1994. She made her debut on April 15, 1995, facing fellow debutante Meiko Satomura at the first ever event held by Nagayo's Gaea Japan promotion.{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/39261/ | script-title=ja:里村 異種格闘技戦に初挑戦も | date=September 20, 2012 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese | archive-date=November 27, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127071821/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/39261/ | url-status=dead }} Just before the debut match, Kato's father, whom Nagayo had managed to convince to support his daughter's dream of becoming a professional wrestler, died in a traffic accident. On November 2, 1996, Kato and Satomura became the inaugural AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.{{cite web | url = http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/title/aaawt.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100928142120/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/title/aaawt.html | title = AAAW tag championship | archivedate=September 28, 2010 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Gaea Japan | language=Japanese}} Through Gaea Japan's working relationship with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Kato made her American debut on November 29, 1996, in Wheeling, West Virginia, losing to Kaoru in a WCW Women's Championship tournament match.{{cite web | url = http://www.profightdb.com/cards/wcw/saturday-night-taping-november-3996-4-16130.html | title = WCW Saturday Night Taping (November '96 #4) | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Internet Wrestling Database}} Kato returned to WCW in April 1997 to take part in a tournament to determine the inaugural WCW Women's Cruiserweight Champion, losing to Malia Hosaka in her semifinal match.{{cite web | url = http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcwmainevent97.htm | title = NWA/WCW The Main Event | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=The History of WWE}} On December 27, 1997, Kato won the High Spurt 600 Tournament, defeating Chikayo Nagashima in the finals. After a sixteen-month reign, Kato and Satomura lost the AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Chikayo Nagashima and Sugar Sato on March 29, 1998.{{cite web | url = http://www.pwinsider.com/article/56471/this-day-in-history-wwwf-becomes-wwf-wrestlemanias-iii-and-xiv-benjamin-defeats-the-game-and-more.html?p=1 | title = This day in history: WWWF becomes WWF, WrestleManias III and XIV, Benjamin defeats The Game and more | last=Woodward | first=Buck |author2=Martinez, Ryan | date=March 29, 2011 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}} After winning the High Spurt 600 Tournament for a second time in 1999, Kato began suffering from various injuries which sidelined her from late 1999 to July 2000 and again from February 2001 to 2006. During the time, Kato kept making non-wrestling appearances for Gaea Japan, including getting attacked and having her hair cut by the villainous D-Fix stable in late 2002.{{cite web | url = http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/history/2002.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513072051/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/history/2002.html | title = 2002 | archivedate=May 13, 2008 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Gaea Japan | language=Japanese}} When Gaea Japan went out of business in 2005, Kato was uncertain whether she would ever wrestle again.

File:Sonoko Kato.JPG

Kato finally returned to the ring at an independent event produced by Chigusa Nagayo on October 1, 2006.{{cite web | url = http://www.marvelcompany.co.jp/profile.html | script-title=ja:長与千種プロフィール | last=Nagayo | first=Chigusa | author-link=Chigusa Nagayo | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=MarvelCompany | language=Japanese}} Kato then began working regularly for the Oz Academy promotion, which featured many other former Gaea Japan wrestlers. On May 25, 2008, Kato made her Mexican debut for Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA), taking part in a five-way elimination Reina de Reinas Tournament match, from which she was eliminated by Martha Villalobos.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/5753/ | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140219152003/http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/5753/ | title = AAA on Galavision TV report featuring new Hart Foundation and great Reina de Reinas | last=Hernandez | first=Xavier | archivedate=February 19, 2014 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} The following July, Kato and Chikayo Nagashima made it to the finals of a tournament to determine the inaugural Oz Academy Tag Team Champions, before losing to Carlos Amano and Dynamite Kansai.{{cite web | url = http://www.oz-a.com/result/2008-07.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820074029/http://www.oz-a.com/result/2008-07.html | title = 2008/7/13（日） Oz新宿大会 12：30～ 「 Oz-Double Wizard 」 | archivedate=August 20, 2008 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} Kato and Nagashima eventually won the title from Aja Kong and Hiroyo Matsumoto on February 22, 2009.{{cite web | url = http://www.oz-a.com/result/2009-02-22.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090226211456/http://www.oz-a.com/result/2009-02-22.html | title = 2009/2/22（日） Oz後楽園大会 12：00～ 「魔性の花咲くOzの国」 | archivedate=February 26, 2009 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} During the next eighteen months, Kato and Nagashima won the title two more times, becoming three-time champions together.{{cite web | url = http://www.oz-a.com/result/2009-08-02.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090807024313/http://www.oz-a.com/result/2009-08-02.html | title = 2009/8/02（日） Oz新宿大会 12:30～「 Oz-antiheroine 」 | archivedate=August 7, 2009 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.oz-a.com/result/2010-08-22.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20101128041258/http://oz-a.com/result/2010-08-22.html | title = 2010/08/22（日） Oz後楽園大会 12:00～ 「プラムの花咲くOzの国2010」 | archivedate=November 28, 2010 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} Kato won the title for the fourth time on January 15, 2012, this time teaming with Aja Kong.{{cite web | url = http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65638148.html | title = 1/15 試合結果 | date=January 16, 2012 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | publisher=Livedoor | language=Japanese}} After a seven-month reign, they lost the title to Akino and Ayumi Kurihara.{{cite web | url = http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65684003.html | script-title=ja:8/19 試合結果 | date=August 20, 2012 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | publisher=Livedoor | language=Japanese}} On January 12, 2014, Kato received a shot at the Oz Academy Openweight Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Akino.{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2014-01-12.html | title = 2014/01/12(日) 12:00～ 「～The Wezerd of Oz 2014～」 | accessdate=June 8, 2014 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} The following June, Kato underwent a shoulder surgery, which would sideline her for an estimated six months.{{cite web | url = http://ameblo.jp/ringstars/entry-11873271009.html | script-title=ja:【結果】ＯＺアカデミー６・４後楽園 | date=June 7, 2014 | accessdate=June 8, 2014 | work=Ringstars | publisher=Ameba | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2014-06-04.html | title = 2014/06/04(水) 18:30～ 「 ～決戦は水曜日 Vol.2～ 」 | accessdate=June 10, 2014 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} She returned to the ring on January 11, 2015.{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2015-01-11.html | title = 2015/01/11(日) 12:00～ 「 The Wizard of Oz 2015 」 | accessdate=January 13, 2015 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} On February 8, Kato formed a new stable with Akino, Kagetsu and Kaho Kobayashi,{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2015-02-08.html | title = 2015/02/08(日) 18:00～ 「 feels just like it should 」 | accessdate=March 2, 2015 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} which was on April 15 named "Mission K4" (MK4).{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2015-04-15.html | title = 2015/04/15(水) 18:30～ 「 look back;and tomorrow 」 | accessdate=April 22, 2015 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/08/20/0008321161.shtml | title = Ozアカデミー出場のMK4が怪気炎！ | date=August 20, 2015 | accessdate=August 20, 2015 | work=Daily Sports Online | publisher=Kobe Shimbun | language=Japanese}} On August 23, Kato won the first singles title of her twenty-year career, when she defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto in a Last Woman Standing match to win the vacant Oz Academy Openweight Championship.{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2015-08-23.html | script-title=ja:2015/08/23(日) 16:00～ 「～プラムの花咲くOzの国2015～ Yokohama Drams Park 3」 | accessdate=August 26, 2015 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://ameblo.jp/ringstars/entry-12065990689.html | script-title=ja:【結果】Ozアカデミー８・23横浜 | date=August 26, 2015 | accessdate=August 26, 2015 | work=Ringstars | publisher=Ameba | language=Japanese}} On October 10, Kato returned to the United States, when she made her debut for Shimmer Women Athletes, taking part in their two-day tenth anniversary weekend.{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/97141/shimmer-results-from-berwyn-il.html?p=1 | title = Shimmer results from Berwyn, IL | last=Bentley | first=Martin | date=October 10, 2015 | accessdate=October 11, 2015 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/56518-results-from-the-10th-anniversary-weekend-of-shimmer | title = Results from the 10th Anniversary weekend of Shimmer | last=Namako | first=Jason | date=October 12, 2015 | accessdate=October 12, 2015 | work=Wrestleview}} After four successful title defenses, Kato was stripped of the Oz Academy Openweight Championship on April 24, 2016, when her defense against Hiroyo Matsumoto ended in a no contest.{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2016-04-24.html | script-title=ja:2016/04/24(日) 12:00～ Oz新宿大会 「 ～The Artist～ 」 | accessdate=April 27, 2016 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} On July 18, Kato defeated Mayumi Ozaki to regain the vacant Oz Academy Openweight Championship.{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=22448 | script-title=ja:7･18 アジャコング30周年記年興行 後楽園ホール大会 アジャコング＆アメージング・コング＆浜田文子vs松本浩代＆山下りな＆橋本千紘 | date=July 18, 2016 | accessdate=July 18, 2016 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2016-07-18.html | script-title=ja:2016/07/18(月) 12:00～ 「アジャ・コングデビュー30周年記念興行 ～Summer Jumbo 寿～」 | accessdate=July 19, 2016 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}} On November 13 at Oz Academy's 20th anniversary event, Kato lost the Oz Academy Openweight Championship to Hiroyo Matsumoto in her second defense.{{cite web | url = http://oz-a.com/result/2016-11-13.html | script-title=ja:「Ozアカデミー結成20周年記念興行～Yokohama Drams Park DK～」 | accessdate=November 15, 2016 | work=Oz Academy | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/616988/ | script-title=ja:【Ozアカデミー】松本浩代 Oz無差別級王座 涙の奪取 | date=November 14, 2016 | accessdate=November 15, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}

• Gaea Japan/Marvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling
• AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (2 times, current) – with Meiko Satomura (1) and Ryo Mizunami (1)
• High Spurt 600 Tournament (1997, 1999){{cite web | url = http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/1997/1227.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060628132601/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/1997/1227.html | title = Level the Ground | archivedate=June 28, 2006 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Gaea Japan | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/1999/1011.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080517093019/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/1999/1011.html | title = God Only Knows | archivedate=May 17, 2008 | accessdate=April 6, 2013 | work=Gaea Japan | language=Japanese}}
• Oz Academy
• Oz Academy Openweight Championship (3 times)
• Oz Academy Tag Team Championship (7 times) – with Aja Kong (1), Akino (1),{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Shannon|title=Oz Academy Results 8/25/19: Two Title Changes|url=https://wrestlingwithdemons.net/2019/08/25/oz-academy-results-8-25-19-two-title-changes/|work=Wrestling...With Demons|accessdate=August 25, 2019}} Chikayo Nagashima (3) and Ryo Mizunami (2){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=362892|title=OZ Academy Who Knows?|work=cagematch.net|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|date=March 12, 2023|access-date=March 24, 2023}}
• Best Wizard Award (6 times)
• Best Bout Award (2015) {{small|with Akino and Tsubasa Kuragaki vs. Arisa Nakajima, Hikaru Shida and Hiroyo Matsumoto on August 23}}{{cite web | url = https://ameblo.jp/n-ozacademy/entry-12110299083.html | title = 途中経過２日目 | date=December 25, 2015 | accessdate=July 29, 2023 | work=Oz Academy | publisher=Ameba | language=Japanese | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729195925/https://ameblo.jp/n-ozacademy/entry-12110299083.html | archive-date=July 29, 2023 | url-status=live}}
• Best Bout Award (2016) {{small|vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto on November 13}}{{cite web | url = https://ameblo.jp/joshi-puroresu-magazine/entry-12236337582.html | title = 【結果】ＯＺアカデミー１・８新宿 | date=January 8, 2017 | accessdate=July 31, 2023 | work=Joshi Puroresu Magazine | publisher=Ameba | language=Japanese | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730222831/https://ameblo.jp/joshi-puroresu-magazine/entry-12236337582.html | archive-date=July 30, 2023 | url-status=live}}
• Best Tag Team Match Award (2010) {{small|with Chikayo Nagashima vs. Akino and Ran Yu-Yu on August 22}}{{cite web | url=http://www.oz-a.com/m/2010_best.html | title=2010年 Best Wizard | access-date=February 12, 2012 | work=Oz Academy | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201172949/http://oz-a.com/m/2010_best.html | archive-date=February 1, 2014 | url-status=dead }}
• Best Tag Team Match Award (2011) {{small|with Chikayo Nagashima vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto and Tomoka Nakagawa on January 9}}{{cite web | url=http://www.oz-a.com/press/2012_01_17.html | title=2011年ファンが選んだ Best Wizard | access-date=February 12, 2012 | work=Oz Academy | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501104006/http://www.oz-a.com/press/2012_01_17.html | archive-date=2012-05-01 | url-status=dead }}
• Best Tag Team Match Award (2012) {{small|with Aja Kong vs. Akino and Ayumi Kurihara on August 19}}{{cite web | url = http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65702771.html | script-title=ja:ファンが選んだベストバウト表彰式 | date=2013-01-16 | access-date=2013-01-17 | work=Oz Academy | publisher=Livedoor | language=ja}}
• MVP Award (2015)

{{Reflist|30em}}

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• [http://www.oz-a.com/profile/kato.html Oz Academy profile] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.puroresucentral.com/sonokokato.html Puroresu Central profile]

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Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Kasugai, Aichi

Category:Professional wrestlers from Aichi Prefecture

Category:Japanese female professional wrestlers

Category:20th-century female professional wrestlers

Category:20th-century Japanese professional wrestlers

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