Francesco Akira

Francesco Begnini (November 12, 1999) is a Italian professional wrestler. He is currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Francesco Akira and is a member of United Empire. 
==Career==
===Independent circuit (2015-present)===
Francesco Begnini made his debut on August 29, 2015, competing for Italian Championship Wrestling under the name Akira in a match where he lost to Mr. Excellent. Begnini continues to compete on the independent circuit, wrestling for promotions across Europe.
===All Japan Pro Wrestling (2019-2022)===
At Excite Series 2019 - Night 1, Begnini, under the name Akira Francesco made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), joining forces with Black Menso-re, Kento Miyahara, and Yoshitatsu in a losing effort against Evolution. In February, Francesco competed in the 2019 Junior League, however, he was only able to win one of his five matches, finishing last in his block. Later in the year, Francesco partnered with Hokuto Omori in the 2019 Junior Tag League, finishing last with only three points. At Summer Explosion Series 2019 - Night 13, Francesco was unsuccessful in winning the EWA Intercontinental Championship from TAJIRI. Following an unsuccessful attempt to win the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship and a defeat in the first round of the 2020 Junior Tag Battle of Glory, Francesco won the 2021 Junior Battle of Glory after defeating El Lindaman in the final to receive another World Junior Heavyweight Championship opportunity. At Champions Night 2021, Francesco defeated Koji Iwamoto to win the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, holding the title until he was dethroned by SUGI at Summer Action Series 2021 - Night 5.
===New Japan Pro Wrestling (2022-present)===
At Hyper Battle 2022 - Night 5, following vignettes with United Empire leader Will Ospreay announcing a new member, Begnini, under the name Francesco Akira, made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), revealing himself as the mystery member. He then revealed a United Empire shirt, before announcing his entry into the 2022 Best of the Super Junior tournament.
==In wrestling==
*Finishers
**Akira Sault
*Signature moves
**Asai Moonsault
**Crossface
**Meteora
**Enzuigiri
*Nicknames
**"Firewall"
**"Il Ragazzo Prodigio"
*Teams and stables
**The WonderKids with Gravity
**United Empire
==Championships and accomplishments==
*Adriatic Special Combact Academy
**ASCA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
*All Japan Pro Wrestling
**AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Italian Championship Wrestling
**ICW Italian Tag Team Championship (1 time)
*New Japan Pro Wrestling
**IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with TJP
*Rising Sun Wrestling
**Rising Sun Championship (2 times)
==External links==
* Profile
* Profile on NJPW Official Website
Category:Italian wrestlers
Category:2015 debuts
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:Italian Championship Wrestling alumni
Category:Bologna Wrestling Team alumni
Category:Living people
Category:1999 births
Category:Union Of European Wrestling Alliances alumni
Category:Rising Sun Wrestling Promotion alumni
Category:Mayhem Wrestling Entertainment alumni
Category:Sacrifice Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:4th Generation Wrestling alumni
Category:Shropshire Wrestling Alliance alumni
Category:Adriatic Special Combat Academy alumni
Category:HOPE Wrestling alumni
Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:German Wrestling Promotion alumni
Category:Wrestle Gate Pro alumni
Category:Good Wrestling alumni
Category:Over The Top Wrestling alumni
Category:Pro Wrestling Live Events alumni
Category:ATTACK! Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:J STAGE Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:BODYSLAM! Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:European Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Scuola Italiana Wrestling alumni
Category:Insane Championship Wrestling alumni
Category:Westside Xtreme Wrestling alumni
Category:Revolution Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:New Japan Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
Category:Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre alumni
Category:West Coast Pro Wrestling alumni