Tokyo Sports has announced their 2022 award winners.
On Thursday, December 15, Tokyo Sports revealed the winners of their 2022 awards.
Leading the way for the winners, Kazuchika Okada is this year’s Tokyo Sports MVP Award winner. “The Rainmaker” received 15 out of 17 editorial votes from the publication to win the award for a fifth time.
Okada kicked off 2022 by winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 16. He followed that up by winning the G1 Climax 32 tournament as well and various classic encounters with the likes of Will Ospreay, Tetsuya Naito and Zack Sabre Jr.
Speaking to NJPW1972.com, the three-time G1 Climax winner discussed winning the award. Okada said:
“I’m definitely delighted to win this award in this important year. I had wanted Mr. Inoki to come and watch a match this year, and it’s definitely a shame that he couldn’t do that.”
“But taking this award is something that I’m sure he’ll be happy to see looking on, and I obviously plan to keep riding this wave, to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at his memorial event to do him proud again.”
Okada’s G1 Climax 32 Final match against Will Ospreay was also voted Best Bout. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion said the following about the award:
“To win that award, especially with a match that came right at the end of such a grueling tournament is something I’m really proud of, and all the more so as the winner.”
“It’s been a tough year and a rewarding one. The matches have been that way, and so has seeing some of the legends that have come to watch and be a part of these celebrations.”
“It’s been a heck of a 50th year, and it’s a real pleasure to be recognised for my work within it.”
Will Ospreay also took to Twitter and commented on being voted the Best Bout by Tokyo Sports, tweeting:
“Being awarded the Tokyo Sports Pro-Wrestling Match Of The Year 2022: Vs Okada in the G1. Although I don’t like being reminded I lost & Im not sure if I get any extra money for winning Thank you so much for the award, lot of super talented guys competed for it.”
The full list of 2022 Tokyo Sports Award winners can be seen below:
MVP: Kazuchika Okada (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Best Bout: New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Final (August 18, Nippon Budokan) Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
Best Tag Team: Great O Khan & Jeff Cobb (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Outstanding Performance Award: Kento Miyahara (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Fighting Spirit Award: Great O Khan (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Technique Award: El Lindaman (GLEAT)
Women’s Wrestling Grand Prize: Syuri (Stardom)
Newcomer Award: Yuma Anzai (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
Professional Wrestling Grand Prize Honor Award: The late Antonio Inoki
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