Taka Michinoku

Takao Yoshida (born October 26, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist who is currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling under the ring name, Taka Michinoku.

Career
Michinoku has competed for many professional wresting companies during his career including Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), CMLL, World Wresting Federation (WWF), Kaientai Dojo and All Japan Pro Wrestling.

During his time in the WWF, Michinoku became the first ever WWF Light Heavyweight Champion when he defeated Brian Christopher at D-Generation X: In Your House. He was also known for his time in the stable Kai En Tai with Sho Funaki.

Michinoku faced Keiichiro Yamamiya at Pancrase: Alive 4 on April 27, 1997 but was defeated 7:36 in the first round from submission by keylock.

Championships
All Japan Pro Wrestling
AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time)
El Dorado Wrestling
UWA World Trios Championship (one time) (with Francis Togo and Antonio Honda)
Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling
FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship (two times)
Independent Wrestling World
IWW Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time)
Kaientai Dojo
FMW/WEW Hardcore Tag Team Championship (one time) (with TOMO Michinoku)
Independent World Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time, current)
Strongest-K Championship (two times)
Strongest-K Tag Team Championship (three times) (with Handsome Joe (two) and Kengo Mashimo (one))
UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (one time) (with Ryota Chikuzen)
UWA World Middleweight Championship (one time, current)
Strongest-K Tournament (2007)
Michinoku Pro Wrestling
Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship (one time)
New Japan Pro Wrestling
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (one time) (with Dick Togo)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
He was ranked #191 of the 500 best singles wrestlers by PWI during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
Best Technical Wrestler (2005)
World Entertainment Wrestling
WEW Six Man Tag Team titles (one time) (with Gosaku Goshogawara and Tetsuhiro Kuroda)
World Wrestling Federation
WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (one time)

 References 

Other websites
Taka Michinoku on New Japan Pro Wrestling

Category:1973 births
Category:Living people
Category:Former WWE wrestlers
Category:Japanese professional wrestlers
Category:Professional wrestling executives
Category:Sportspeople from Chiba Prefecture