The first European to conquer Japan's junior heavyweight division

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the rigid world of Japanese professional wrestling, breaking through as an outsider is a monumental feat. Francesco Akira didn't just enter the ring; he dismantled the status quo, becoming a historic trailblazer for Italian athletes in one of the most prestigious and traditional sports landscapes on earth.

Francesco Akira Begnini first entered the Japanese scene in 2019 with All Japan Pro-Wrestling (AJPW) under the name Akira Francesco. His journey was defined by a steady climb through grueling tournaments, including the AJPW Junior League and Junior Tag League. By June 26, 2021, he achieved a landmark milestone: winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship from Koji Iwamoto. This victory made him the first European to hold that specific title since the legendary Dynamite Kid. He initially wrestled in Italy for promotions like Italian Championship Wrestling and ASCA Wrestling. Before his Japanese success, he also competed in British and Irish circuits. His early training took place within the Rising Sun Wrestling Promotion.

His career reached new heights in 2022 when he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as part of the United Empire stable. On June 20, 2022, Akira and his partner T.J. Perkins won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, making Akira the first Italian champion in NJPW history. The duo, known as Catch 2/2, became a dominant force, eventually winning the Super Junior Tag League tournament in late 2024 before navigating complex betrayals and title defenses. The team eventually lost their titles to a duo called Jet Setters after a 311-day reign. They later regained them at Wrestle Kingdom 18 following an unusual coffin match. During this period, Akira also competed in several international tournaments across the United States.

Akira's trajectory is marked by high-stakes narrative shifts, from his debut as an unknown protegé to becoming a top-ranked competitor. By 2025, he had climbed to rank No. 200 in the PWI 500 singles rankings. His influence now extends globally; through NJPW's partnership with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Akira represents the bridge between traditional Japanese wrestling and the modern international stage, often appearing alongside stablemates like Will Ospreay. He is proficient in English and has been studying Japanese since his move to Japan. He recently took a hiatus from the ring to recover from a hand injury. His ranking improved significantly between 2024 and 2025.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The man who held ten wrestling titles at once
• How a Swiss wrestler conquered the American independent scene before reaching global stardom
• How a Japanese wrestling icon bridged the gap between scripted spectacle and real combat
• From high school prodigy to the international heavyweight of professional wrestling
• From Young Lion to Global Icon: The Evolution of Hiromu Takahashi
• How Gabi Garcia became one of the most decorated grapplers in history
• Forlì: The Italian city that stood as a defiant Ghibelline stronghold for centuries
• Galați: The Danube port city that evolved from ancient Dacian ford to steel giant
• From Mesolithic settlement to Edwardian elegance: the shifting tides of Folkestone
• Once the Citadel of Autocracy, Gatchina remains a complex monument to imperial Russian history.
• Why was this Italian city once known as the granary of the entire nation?
• The man who broke the 4000 Elo barrier in programming

More in Europe and Russia · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics