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Tatsumi Fujinami, son LEONA to wrestle at NJPW Anniversary event

Posted: Feb 20th 2026 By: Ian Carey

Tatsumi Fujinami will be part of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s anniversary event next month.

The 72-year-old Fujinami will team with his son LEONA on the show, NJPW revealed on Thursday. Their opponents have yet to be announced.

Fujinami wrestled on the very first New Japan Pro Wrestling event, losing to El Furioso on March 6, 1972.

NJPW wrote:

“March 6 sees NJPW mark 54 years as the King of Sports, with a big event in the place where it all began, Ota City Gymnasium.

One man who was there on the very first day, and indeed in the very first match for NJPW was Tatsumi Fujinami, and the Dragon is incredibly still active over a half century later! In fact Fujinami will be present for the 54th Anniversary and in action along with his son LEONA. What will Fujinami and LEONA have in store for Ota March 6? Don’t miss out!”

NJPW has yet to announce the full card for the March 6 event. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships will be defended on the show. Two first-round matches in the New Japan Cup are also scheduled.
NJPW 54th Anniversary Show (Friday, March 6) —

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against Master Wato
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita defend against Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X
New Japan Cup first-round match: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Jake Lee
New Japan Cup first-round match: OSKAR vs. Callum Newman
Tatsumi Fujinami & LEONA to wrestle on the show