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IWGP Heavyweight Championship History

Complete list of every IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign — who held it, when they won it, and how long they kept it. Established Jun 12, 1987.

Current Champion
Callum Newman
Since Apr 4, 2026 · 70+ days
88
Total Reigns
41
Champions
720
Longest (days)
Kazuchika Okada
8×
Most Reigns
Hiroshi Tanahashi

Full Title Lineage

#ChampionWonReign
88 Callum Newman CURRENT Apr 4, 2026 70+ days
87 Yota Tsuji Won in a Winner Takes All match that also put his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on the line; on January 6, 2026 Tsuji deactivated the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, reverting the belt to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Jan 4, 2026Wrestle Kingdom 20Tokyo, Japan 90 days
86 Konosuke Takeshita Oct 13, 2025King of Pro-Wrestling 2025Tokyo, Japan 83 days
85 Zack Sabre Jr.2nd reign Jun 29, 2025Tanahashi JamNagoya, Japan 106 days
84 Hirooki Goto A long-awaited first world title for the veteran. Feb 11, 2025The New Beginning in Osaka (2025)Osaka, Japan 138 days
83 Zack Sabre Jr.1st reign Oct 14, 2024King of Pro-Wrestling 2024Tokyo, Japan 120 days
82 Tetsuya Naito5th reign Jun 30, 2024AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door (2024)Elmont, NY 106 days
81 Jon Moxley Apr 12, 2024Windy City Riot (2024)Chicago, IL 79 days
80 Tetsuya Naito4th reign Naito finally won the title in the Tokyo Dome main event after years of near-misses. Jan 4, 2024Wrestle Kingdom 18Tokyo, Japan 99 days
79 SANADA Apr 8, 2023Sakura Genesis 2023Tokyo, Japan 271 days
78 Kazuchika Okada7th reign Okada’s record-extending seventh reign. Jan 4, 2023Wrestle Kingdom 17Tokyo, Japan 94 days
77 Jay White2nd reign Jun 12, 2022Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall (2022)Osaka, Japan 206 days
76 Kazuchika Okada6th reign Jan 4, 2022Wrestle Kingdom 16Tokyo, Japan 159 days
75 Shingo Takagi Defeated Kazuchika Okada for the vacant title. Jun 7, 2021Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall (2021)Osaka, Japan 211 days
74 Will Ospreay ↳ Vacated due to a neck injury. Apr 4, 2021Sakura Genesis 2021Tokyo, Japan 46 days
73 Kota Ibushi On March 4, 2021 the title was unified with the Intercontinental Championship to form the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship; the reigns that followed were merged back into this lineage when the belt was reactivated on January 6, 2026. Jan 4, 2021Wrestle Kingdom 15Tokyo, Japan 90 days
72 Tetsuya Naito3rd reign Contested for both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. Aug 29, 2020Summer Struggle in Jingu (2020)Tokyo, Japan 128 days
71 EVIL Contested for both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. Jul 12, 2020Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall (2020)Osaka, Japan 48 days
70 Tetsuya Naito2nd reign Jan 5, 2020Wrestle Kingdom 14Tokyo, Japan 189 days
69 Kazuchika Okada5th reign Won at the ROH and NJPW co-promoted show at Madison Square Garden. Apr 6, 2019G1 SupercardNew York, NY 274 days
68 Jay White1st reign Feb 11, 2019The New Beginning in OsakaOsaka, Japan 54 days
67 Hiroshi Tanahashi8th reign A record eighth reign. Jan 4, 2019Wrestle Kingdom 13Tokyo, Japan 38 days
66 Kenny Omega The first gaijin to hold the belt in the modern era. Jun 9, 2018Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall (2018)Osaka, Japan 209 days
65 Kazuchika Okada4th reign A 720-day reign, the longest in the title history. Jun 19, 2016Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall (2016)Osaka, Japan 720 days
64 Tetsuya Naito1st reign Apr 10, 2016Invasion Attack 2016Tokyo, Japan 70 days
63 Kazuchika Okada3rd reign Jul 5, 2015Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall (2015)Osaka, Japan 280 days
62 AJ Styles2nd reign Feb 11, 2015The New Beginning 2015Osaka, Japan 144 days
61 Hiroshi Tanahashi7th reign Oct 13, 2014King of Pro-Wrestling 2014Tokyo, Japan 121 days
60 AJ Styles1st reign May 3, 2014Wrestling Dontaku 2014Fukuoka, Japan 163 days
59 Kazuchika Okada2nd reign Apr 7, 2013Invasion Attack 2013Tokyo, Japan 391 days
58 Hiroshi Tanahashi6th reign Jun 16, 2012Dominion 6.16 (2012)Osaka, Japan 295 days
57 Kazuchika Okada1st reign Okada’s first reign, won as a young returnee from his American excursion. Feb 12, 2012The New Beginning 2012Osaka, Japan 125 days
56 Hiroshi Tanahashi5th reign A 404-day reign, the longest of Tanahashi’s eight. Jan 4, 2011Wrestle Kingdom VTokyo, Japan 404 days
55 Satoshi Kojima2nd reign Oct 11, 2010Destruction 2010Tokyo, Japan 85 days
54 Togi Makabe May 3, 2010Wrestling Dontaku 2010Fukuoka, Japan 161 days
53 Shinsuke Nakamura3rd reign Defeated Togi Makabe for the vacant title. Sep 27, 2009Circuit2009 New Japan GenerationKobe, Japan 218 days
52 Hiroshi Tanahashi4th reign ↳ Vacated after Tanahashi fractured his eye socket. Jun 20, 2009Dominion 6.20 (2009)Osaka, Japan 58 days
51 Manabu Nakanishi May 6, 2009DissidenceTokyo, Japan 45 days
50 Hiroshi Tanahashi3rd reign Jan 4, 2009Wrestle Kingdom IIITokyo, Japan 122 days
49 Keiji Muto Competed as The Great Muta. Apr 27, 2008Circuit2007 New Japan BraveOsaka, Japan 252 days
48 Shinsuke Nakamura2nd reign Defeated Kurt Angle to unify the NJPW and IGF versions of the title. Jan 4, 2008Wrestle Kingdom IITokyo, Japan 114 days
47 Hiroshi Tanahashi2nd reign Oct 8, 2007Explosion 2007Tokyo, Japan 88 days
46 Yuji Nagata2nd reign Apr 13, 2007Circuit2007 New Japan BraveOsaka, Japan 178 days
45 Hiroshi Tanahashi1st reign Defeated Giant Bernard in a tournament final for the vacant title. Jul 17, 2006Circuit2006 TurbulenceSapporo, Japan 270 days
44 Brock Lesnar ↳ Stripped after refusing to return and defend the title; Lesnar kept the physical belt, later used by the IGF. Oct 8, 2005Toukon Souzou New ChapterTokyo, Japan 280 days
43 Kazuyuki Fujita3rd reign Jul 18, 2005Summer Fight Series 2005Sapporo, Japan 82 days
42 Hiroyoshi Tenzan4th reign May 14, 2005Nexess VITokyo, Japan 65 days
41 Satoshi Kojima1st reign Feb 20, 2005New Year Gold Series 2005Tokyo, Japan 83 days
40 Hiroyoshi Tenzan3rd reign Dec 12, 2004Battle Final 2004Nagoya, Japan 70 days
39 Kensuke Sasaki5th reign Oct 9, 2004Pro-Wrestlers Be StrongestTokyo, Japan 64 days
38 Kazuyuki Fujita2nd reign Defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi for the vacant title. Jun 5, 2004The Crush IIOsaka, Japan 126 days
37 Bob Sapp ↳ Vacated after Sapp lost a K-1 fight to Kazuyuki Fujita. Mar 28, 2004King of SportsTokyo, Japan 66 days
36 Kensuke Sasaki4th reign Mar 12, 2004Hyper Battle 2004Tokyo, Japan 16 days
35 Hiroyoshi Tenzan2nd reign Defeated Genichiro Tenryu in a tournament final for the vacant title. Feb 15, 2004Fighting Spirit 2004Tokyo, Japan 26 days
34 Shinsuke Nakamura1st reign Unified the title with the NWF Heavyweight Championship during this reign. ↳ Vacated due to injuries. Dec 9, 2003Battle Final 2003Osaka, Japan 58 days
33 Hiroyoshi Tenzan1st reign Nov 3, 2003Yokohama Dead OutYokohama, Japan 36 days
32 Yoshihiro Takayama May 2, 2003Ultimate CrushTokyo, Japan 185 days
31 Yuji Nagata1st reign A 392-day reign. Apr 5, 2002Toukon SpecialTokyo, Japan 392 days
30 Tadao Yasuda Defeated Yuji Nagata in a tournament final for the vacant title. Feb 16, 2002Fighting Spirit 2002Tokyo, Japan 48 days
29 Kazuyuki Fujita1st reign ↳ Vacated due to an injured achilles tendon. Apr 9, 2001Strong Style 2001Osaka, Japan 270 days
28 Scott Norton2nd reign Mar 17, 2001Hyper Battle 2001Nagoya, Japan 23 days
27 Kensuke Sasaki3rd reign Defeated Toshiaki Kawada in a tournament final for the vacant title. Jan 4, 2001Wrestling World 2001Tokyo, Japan 72 days
26 Kensuke Sasaki2nd reign ↳ Vacated after losing a non-title match to Toshiaki Kawada. Jan 4, 2000Wrestling World 2000Tokyo, Japan 279 days
25 Genichiro Tenryu Dec 10, 1999Battle Final 1999Osaka, Japan 25 days
24 The Great Muta3rd reign Jan 4, 1999Wrestling World 1999Tokyo, Japan 340 days
23 Scott Norton1st reign Defeated Yuji Nagata for the vacant title. Sep 23, 1998G1 Climax Special 1998 Big WednesdayYokohama, Japan 103 days
22 Masahiro Chono ↳ Vacated due to a neck injury. Aug 8, 1998Rising the Next Generations in Osaka DomeOsaka, Japan 44 days
21 Tatsumi Fujinami6th reign Apr 4, 1998Antonio Inoki Retirement ShowTokyo, Japan 126 days
20 Kensuke Sasaki1st reign Aug 31, 1997Final Power Hall in YokohamaYokohama, Japan 216 days
19 Shinya Hashimoto3rd reign A 489-day reign, the second longest in the title history. Apr 29, 1996Battle Formation 1996Tokyo, Japan 489 days
18 Nobuhiko Takada Jan 4, 1996Wrestling World 1996Tokyo, Japan 116 days
17 The Great Muta2nd reign May 3, 1995Wrestling Dontaku 1995Fukuoka, Japan 246 days
16 Shinya Hashimoto2nd reign May 1, 1994Wrestling Dontaku 1994Fukuoka, Japan 367 days
15 Tatsumi Fujinami5th reign Apr 4, 1994Grand Cross in HiroshimaHiroshima, Japan 27 days
14 Shinya Hashimoto1st reign Sep 20, 1993G1 Climax Special 1993Nagoya, Japan 196 days
13 The Great Muta1st reign Aug 16, 1992G1 Climax Special 1992Fukuoka, Japan 400 days
12 Riki Choshu3rd reign Jan 4, 1992Super Warriors in Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan 225 days
11 Tatsumi Fujinami4th reign Mar 4, 1991Big Fight Series 1991Hiroshima, Japan 306 days
10 Big Van Vader3rd reign Jan 17, 1991New Year Dash 1991Yokohama, Japan 46 days
9 Tatsumi Fujinami3rd reign Dec 26, 1990King of Kings in Hamamatsu ArenaHamamatsu, Japan 22 days
8 Riki Choshu2nd reign Aug 19, 1990Summer Night Fever IITokyo, Japan 129 days
7 Big Van Vader2nd reign Aug 10, 1989Fighting Satellite 1989Tokyo, Japan 374 days
6 Riki Choshu1st reign Jul 12, 1989Summer Fight Series 1989Osaka, Japan 29 days
5 Salman Hashimikov May 25, 1989Battle Satellite Prolympic in Osaka Castle HallOsaka, Japan 48 days
4 Big Van Vader1st reign Defeated Shinya Hashimoto in a tournament final for the vacant title. Apr 24, 1989Battle Satellite Tokyo DomeTokyo, Japan 31 days
3 Tatsumi Fujinami2nd reign Defeated Riki Choshu for the vacant title. ↳ Vacated so the title could be decided in a tournament. Jun 24, 1988IWGP Champion Series 1988Osaka, Japan 285 days
2 Tatsumi Fujinami1st reign Defeated Big Van Vader for the vacant title. ↳ Held up after a defense against Riki Choshu ended in a no contest. May 8, 1988Super Fight Series 1988Tokyo, Japan 19 days
1 Antonio Inoki Defeated Masa Saito in a tournament final to become the inaugural champion. ↳ Vacated after Inoki fractured his left foot. Jun 12, 1987IWGP League 87 FinalsTokyo, Japan 325 days

New Japan's top prize and the centerpiece of Japanese wrestling, established in 1987 with Antonio Inoki crowned the inaugural champion. From March 2021 it was unified with the Intercontinental title and defended as the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, until New Japan reverted the belt to its original name in January 2026 and folded those reigns back into this lineage. Hiroshi Tanahashi holds the record with eight reigns, ahead of Kazuchika Okada with seven; Okada also owns the longest single reign at 720 days. Tatsumi Fujinami, a fixture of the late 1980s and 1990s, sits on six.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship — FAQ

Callum Newman is the current IWGP Heavyweight Championship, having won the title on Apr 4, 2026.

Antonio Inoki was the inaugural IWGP Heavyweight Championship, winning it on Jun 12, 1987 at IWGP League 87 Finals.

Hiroshi Tanahashi has the most reigns with 8.

Kazuchika Okada's reign beginning Jun 19, 2016 is the longest at 720 days.

There have been 88 reigns across 41 different champions since the title was established.

← All current champions  ·  Where do these champions rank all-time? — The GOAT Index