King of Strong Style: 1980-2014

“Much like Nakamura confidently struts the line between artist and athlete, here he is equal parts raconteur and friendly acquaintance. King of Strong Style: 1980-2014 is a unique lens on a trying and crucial time in the history of Puroresu. It is a must read for every New Japan Pro Wrestling fan and a comprehensive primer for the most unique wrestler of this early century.”–Ross W. Berman “”A great read, King of Strong Style is a deep, step by step journey that follows Nakamura through his coronation as one of the most electric and charismatic performers in Japanese Wrestling history. The perfect prologue for Nakamura’s ascension to Wrestlemania greatness on a global scale, it opens him up to his audience in a way that not even WWE has been able to accomplish….–Mike Johnson “PWInsider.com”

Born in Kyoto, February 24, 1980, Shinsuke Nakamura began amateur wrestling in high school before attending university at Aoyama Gakuin University. After a brilliant career there, he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in March 2002 and made his professional debut at Nippon Budokan in a match against Tadao Yasuda on August 29, 2002. On December 9, 2003, a mere sixteen months into his professional career, he crushed Hiroyoshi Tenzan and was crowned the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. Even as he pursued greatness in the professional wrestling ring, Nakamura participated in MMA, facing Daniel Gracie of the legendary jiu-jitsu family, and superheavyweight kickboxing champion Alexey Ignashov. Now he thrills fans in the United States and beyond on a weekly basis as one of the top wrestlers in the world.