Aaron Wolf (judoka)
Japanese judoka (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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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 pursue 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 and training with the promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and announced he would make his in-ring debut at Wrestle Kingdom 20.[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]
On January 4, 2026 At Wrestle Kingdom 20, Wolf defeated Evil for the title,[9] but lost it one month later at The New Beginning in Osaka against the new leader of House of Torture Ren Narita.[10] In March, Wolf participated the New Japan Cup, but was eliminated by Don Fale in the first round.[11] On night 1 of Wrestlng Dontaku on May 3, Wolf defeated Fale in a rematch.[12]
