Wolf Aron, the NEVER Openweight Champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling, publicly invited Olympic gold medalist Christa Deguchi to transition into professional wrestling during a tournament event in Tokyo. Tokyo Sports reported that Aron made the pitch on October 25 at his hometown event, the Wolf Aron Cup Katsushika Ward Autumn Judo Tournament.
Recruiting Deguchi at the Katsushika Tournament
Deguchi earned a gold medal representing Canada in the women’s 57-kilogram division at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both athletes share a birth year and won gold medals at the Olympic level, with Aron taking top honors in the men’s 100-kilogram judo category at the 2020 Tokyo Games. During a talk show appearance at the community tournament in Katsushika Ward, Aron urged Deguchi to consider a career in professional wrestling following her retirement announcement in March.
Deguchi expressed hesitation about entering the ring during subsequent interviews with reporters. “Pro wrestling is not a gentle world,” Deguchi stated. “I can’t say I’ll do it on a whim, and I don’t have that kind of resolve.”
Challenging the Retirement Decision
Aron dismissed Deguchi’s initial reluctance, arguing she needed to experience a live event before making a final career choice. “She hasn’t seen my matches live yet,” Aron said. “So I’d be bothered if she decides without seeing it. She was supposed to come once and didn’t, so I want her to judge after actually seeing it.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Deguchi maintained an interest in attending a wrestling event in person. She indicated a desire to watch a match during a significant event. Aron responded by directing his invitation toward New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual marquee event.
“Speaking of big matches, isn’t it January 4th?” Aron said, inviting her to the January 4, 2027, Tokyo Dome event. “It’s wrong to say food is bad before you even eat it, so I want you to see pro wrestling live first.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What weight classes did Wolf Aron and Christa Deguchi win their Olympic medals in?
Aron won gold in the men’s 100-kilogram division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Deguchi won gold in the women’s 57-kilogram division at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What specific event did Wolf Aron invite Christa Deguchi to attend?
Aron invited Deguchi to attend New Japan Pro Wrestling’s January 4 Tokyo Dome event.
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