Naoki Sano

Naoki Sano (佐野直喜, Sano Naoki) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He currently goes by the name Takuma Sano.

Professional wrestling career

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1984–1990)

Sano was a member of the 1984 NJPW Dojo class, and in his first few years, he was a jobber. In 1987, he went on an overseas excursion to Mexico, wrestling for the Universal Wrestling Association. In August 1987, he won his first championship, the Distrito Federal Trios Championship with fellow NJPW wrestlers Hirokazu Hata and Yoshihiro Asai. Upon his return to the promotion in January 1989, he won the Young Lions Cup on April 24, and he had numerous acclaimed matches against Jushin Liger. Sano defeated Liger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on August 10, 1989, but lost it back to Liger on January 31, 1990. In April 1990, he went on an overseas excursion to Canada, wrestling under the name Mr. Sato for the Canadian National Wrestling Alliance promotion in Calgary, where he won the promotion's World Mid-Heavyweight Championship.