Hirooki Goto Wins The IWGP World Heavyweight Title At NJPW New Beginning In Osaka 2025

The boyhood dream has come true. Hirooki Goto is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Goto challenged Zack Sabre Jr. for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's top championship in the main event of New Beginning in Osaka on Tuesday, February 11. Zack Sabre Jr. dominated much of the match, hitting Goto with multiple Zack Drivers and almost winning the match by submission, but Goto managed to make it to the ropes as the fans inside EDION Arena Osaka rallied behind the challenger.

Goto had a burst of energy after reaching the ropes and he halted a brief ZSJ flurry with a GTW. Goto then hit the Shouten-Kai and he attempted a GTR, only for Sabre to reverse into a pinning attempt, with Goto kicking out at 2.9 as the fans in Osaka erupted.

As the match reached the 20-minute mark, Goto was able to connect with the GTR and he hit a second GTR to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Having failed to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title on eight occasions between 2007 and 2016, Goto won New Japan's top belt at the ninth attempt.

New Beginning in Osaka caps off a renaissance for Goto which began in early 2024 following the passing of his father, with Goto reaching the New Japan Cup final. Goto has remained near the top of the card ever since, which included him failing to win the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title from David Finlay at October's King of Pro-Wrestling in a loss which left Goto's children in tears.

Goto's children weren't crying on February 11, however, although a tearful Goto dedicated the win to his father before celebrating in the ring with his children.

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