Francesco Akira

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Francesco Akira
Akira2020
Akira in February 2020
Born (1999-11-12) November 12, 1999 (age 22)
Bergamo, Italy[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Francesco Akira
Francisco Junko
Akira
Billed height175 cm (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Billed weight70 kg (154 lb)
Trained byICW Academy Bergamo
Debut2015

Francesco Begnini, better known by his ring name Francesco Akira is an Italian professional wrestler, currently working for the Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling where he is a former AJPW Junior Heavyweight Champion.[3]

Professional wrestling career[]

Independent circuit (2015-present)[]

Begnini debuted as a professional wrestler in the Italian wrestling circuit, working for the Italian Championship Wrestling, promotion where he trained, for the Union Of European Wrestling Alliances and also for promotions like Over the Top Wrestling and Attack! Pro Wrestling.[4]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2019-present)[]

Begnini made his debut in All Japan Pro Wrestling at AJPW Excite Series 2019 on February 7, where he teamed up with Black Menso-re, Kento Miyahara and Yoshitatsu in a losing effort to Evolution (Hikaru Sato, Suwama and Yusuke Okada).[5] He continued his tenure with the company, working for various events such as AJPW Chiba Extra Dream In Narita on July 15, 2019, where he teamed up with Hikaru Sato, Hokuto Omori and Yusuke Okada to defeat Atsushi Maruyama, Black Menso-re, Keiichi Sato and Koji Iwamoto in an eight-man tag team match.[6]

On the first night of the AJPW New Year Wars 2020 on January 2, where he participated in a 13-man battle royal also involving Jake Lee, Takao Omori, Osamu Nishimura and others.[7]

Begnini is known for competing in the AJPW Junior League. He made his first appearance at the 2019 edition of the event, placing himself in the Block A and scoring a total of two points after competing against Atsushi Maruyama, Yusuke Okada, Tajiri, Kotaro Suzuki and Koji Iwamoto.[8] At the 2021 edition of the event, he came out champion after defeating Tajiri in the first round, Takuya Sugi in the second round, Tatsuhito Takaiwa in the semi-finals and El Lindaman in the finals on June 3, 2021.[9]

Another signature event of the promotion in which Begnini took part is the AJPW Junior Tag League, making his first appearance at the 2019 edition of the event, where he teamed up with Hokuto Omori and scored a total of three points after competing against the teams of Keiichi Sato and Koji Iwamoto, Banana Senga and Tsutomu Oosugi, Atsushi Maruyama and Black Menso～re, Hikaru Sato and Yusuke Okada, and Kagetora and Yosuke♥Santa Maria.[10] At the 2020 edition, he teamed up with Takayuki Ueki and fell short to Jin (Koji Iwamoto and Fuminori Abe) in the first round from December 27.[11]

Championships and accomplishments[]

References[]

  1. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Francesco Akira • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  2. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Akira Francesco/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Akira Francesco Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  4. ^ The Smackdown Hotel. "Akira Francesco:Profile, Career, TITLES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS". thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  5. ^ Daly, Wayne (February 8, 2019). "AJPW Results: Excite Series 2019 Day 1 – Tokyo, Japan (2/7)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Daly, Wayne (July 15, 2019). "AJPW Results: Chiba Extra Dream In Narita – Narita, Japan (7/15)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Balaz, Andrew (January 2, 2020). "Andrew's Ratings & Analysis: AJPW New Year Wars: Day 1". thechairshot.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  8. ^ Dark angel (February 12, 2019). "AJPW: «Jr. Battle of Glory 2019 »Day 3 - Great start of TAJIRI". superluchas.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Dark angel (June 9, 2021). "AJPW: «Jr. Battle of Glory 2021 »Grand Final - Francesco Akira, the winner". superluchas.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  10. ^ All Japan Pro Wrestling (July 22, 2019). "July 2019 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory Held decision and team decision". all-japan.co.jp. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  11. ^ Dark angel (January 14, 2021). "AJPW / Hikaru Sato Produces: «Jr. Tag Battle of Glory 2020 »". superluchas.com. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  12. ^ Wrestling Titles (June 26, 2021). "World Junior Heavyweight Title (All Japan)". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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