Zack Sabre Jr. won the NJPW G1 Climax 34 tournament.
With his victory over Yota Tsuji by submission in the finals, the British wrestler joins Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan and Kenny Omega as the only non-Japanese wrestlers to win the prestigious tournament. The victory adds to Sabre Jr.’s previous accolades, including two wins as NJPW World Television Champion and three wins as IWGP Tag Team Champion.
In a post-match promo, Sabre Jr. thanked his mentor Yoshinari Ogawa before moving on to the future. While the winner of the G1 traditionally gets a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom the following January, Sabre Jr. stated that he did not want to wait that long.
Backstage, the G1 winner spoke about the win and the guaranteed title shot, stating that he wants to challenge for gold at the King of Pro Wrestling show on October 14, win the title and make his first title defense on home soil at the recently announced Royal Quest IV.
Zack Sabre Jr. hopes for a big match at the NJPW UK show
Before the final takes place, New Japan announced that they would return to London later in the year with Royal Quest IV, on October 20th, at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
🇬🇧ROYAL QUEST IV🇬🇧comes to Crystal Palace ON SUNDAY 20TH October!
Exclusive pre-sale MONDAY, AUGUST 26 – register now!https://t.co/r2kJUMLOpv#njpw#royalquestpic.twitter.com/gYPI9n1qTg— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) 18 August 2024
In the main event of the 2023 show, Sabre Jr. unsuccessfully challenged Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship. Tickets for the event will go on sale on August 26.
