Hirooki Goto

Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirooki, born June 25, 1979 in Kuwana, Mie) is a Japanese professional wrestler. Since his debut, he has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former two-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, one-time winner of the G1 Climax (2008), two-time winner of the World Tag League (2012 and 2014) and three-time winner of the New Japan Cup (2009, 2010 and 2012).

Early life

Goto attended Kuwana Kogyo High School in Kuwana, Mie, where he was classmates with Katsuyori Shibata. Goto later attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling.

Professional wrestling career

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Junior heavyweight (2003–2005)

Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the promotion after incurring a shoulder injury. He returned to NJPW in November 2002 after healing and began training in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo. He debuted on July 6, 2003, in Gifu, Gifu, wrestling Ryusuke Taguchi. The two men competed in the junior heavyweight division, and teamed together the same year to try to take the vacant IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in a tournament, but were defeated in the final by veterans Gedo and Jado, who had debuted in 1989.