Yuto Nakashima
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Yuto Nakashima
| birth_name = Yuto Nakashima
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|1|7|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
| height = 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
| weight = 211 lb (96 kg)
| billed = Ogaki, Gifu, Japan
| trainer = New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo
| debut = 2021
}}
Yuto Nakashima (born January 7, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Known for his martial arts background, he has competed internationally, including notable appearances in Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw).
Early life
Nakashima was born in Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. He trained in judo from a young age, achieving black belt status before transitioning to mixed martial arts and then professional wrestling.{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/njpw_nakashima/status/1743252803341242547?t=0sD05bTmgOHHVA10MsqMaw&s=19|title=x.com}}
Professional Wrestling Career
= New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2021–present) =
== Young lion (2021–2024) ==
Nakashima made his debut for NJPW on February 14, 2021, during the Road to Castle Attack event, facing Yuji Nagata. However, the match was stopped after Nakashima dislocated his elbow.{{Cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/new-young-lion-yuto-nakashima-suffers-elbow-injury-in-first-njpw-match|title=New Young Lion Yuto Nakashima Suffers Elbow Injury In First NJPW Match|website=Cultaholic Wrestling}} Following his recovery, Nakashima participated in NJPW's Young Lion matches, frequently competing against wrestlers like Ryohei Oiwa and Kosei Fujita. He achieved his first victory on April 20, 2022, defeating Oiwa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/njpw-golden-fight-series-results-422-eight-man-elimination-match-headlines|title=NJPW Golden Fight Series Results (4/22): Eight-Man Elimination Match Headlines | Fightful News|website=www.fightful.com}} In 2023, Nakashima formed a tag team with Oskar Leube, known as "Young Blood".{{Cite web |title=Young Blood « Tag Teams Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=12267 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=www.cagematch.net}}
In January 2024 at New Year Dash!!, Young Blood wrestled their final match as young lions before embarking on learning excursion (as is customary for NJPW Young Lions), losing to El Phantasmo and Hikuleo.{{Cite web |title=NJPW New Year Dash !! 2024 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=379470 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=www.cagematch.net}}
== Foreign excursion (2024–present) ==
In early 2024, Nakashima embarked on an excursion to Europe, wrestling for the likes of Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw). At RevPro’s High Stakes 2024 event, Young Blood defeated Kieron Lacey and Mark Trew in a tag team match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-news.net/revpro-high-stakes-2024-oku-vs-ospreay-results/220508/|title=RevPro Results: High Stakes 2024 ~ Oku vs. Ospreay – London, England (2/18)|date=February 19, 2024|website=www.wrestling-news.net}} Young Blood also participated in a tag team match to defeat David Francisco and Goldenboy Santos in a street fight at a subsequent RevPro event.backbodydrop.com/blog/reviews/revolution-pro-wrestling-raw-deal-2024-june-29-2024/ In wXw, Young Blood won the wXw World Tag Team Championship at the World Tag Team Festival in October 2024, defeating KXS (Axel Tischer and Fast Time Moodo) in the finals.{{Cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/08/wxw-world-tag-team-festival-2024-night-3-results-vetters-review-of-the-tag-team-tournament-three-way-final/|title=WXW "World Tag Team Festival 2024, Night 3" results: Vetter's review of the tag team tournament three-way final|first=Jason|last=Powell|date=October 8, 2024}} In March 2025, they lost the titles to Big Bucks (Alex Duke and Norman Harras), ending their reign at 152 days.{{Cite web |title=wXw 16 Carat Gold 2025 Night One Results (3/7): 16 Carat Gold Tournament Begins {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wxw-16-carat-gold-2025-results-37-16-carat-gold-tournament-begins |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}
Personal life
Nakashima’s background in judo and MMA has heavily influenced his wrestling style. His in-ring persona is often described as stoic and disciplined, focusing on technical grappling.{{Cite web|url=https://itelemaluwritings.com/2023/11/22/the-fighting-spirit-of-yuto-nakashima/|title=The Fighting Spirit of Yuto Nakashima|first=Ite|last=Lemalu|date=November 22, 2023}}
Championships and Accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Holland
- PWH Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Oskar Leube
- Westside Xtreme Wrestling
- wXw World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Oskar Leube{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&kategorie=7&liga=189&titel=696&seite=2|title=wXw World Tag Team Titles @ Wrestlingdata.com|first=Axel|last=Saalbach|website=wrestlingdata.com}}
- WXw World Tag Team Festival (2024) — with Oskar Leube
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.njpw1972.com/profile/799 Yuto Nakashima's NJPW Profile]
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=24581 Yuto Nakashima's Cagematch Profile]
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Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers
Category:Japanese male professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century Japanese sportsmen
Category:People from Gifu Prefecture
Category:Sportspeople from Gifu Prefecture