Shinsuke Nakamura is one of the most popular WWE Superstars today and wrestling fans will get a chance to learn more about the self-proclaimed King of Strong Style in his autobiography. Viz Media acquired the right to publish the English-language version of King of Strong Style: 1980-2014, which chronicles the wrestler’s early years grappling some of the industry’s biggest names in Japan as well as matches with United States superstars like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar.
The autobiography of Shinsuke Nakamura was originally published in two paperback volumes in Japan, but Viz Media will bring the two books into a single-volume English hardcover and also offer a digital edition in the summer.
“Professional wrestling is at the crossroads of extreme sports, over-the-top theatre and pop culture, and Shinsuke Nakamura, already a huge star in Japan, is seeing his star rising fast among millions of U.S. fans,” says Masumi Washington, Sr. Director, Publishing Production in a press release. “His autobiography, a riveting story depicting one man’s quest to conquer the world both inside and outside the wrestling ring, is a unique and special addition to the VIZ Media catalog.”
Here’s a synopsis from Viz Media’s upcoming autobiography of Shunsuke Nakamura’s early life:
“Born in Kyoto, February 24, 1980, Shinsuke Nakamura began amateur wrestling in high school before attending university at Aoyama Gakuin University. After a brilliant career there, he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in March 2002 and made his professional debut at Nippon Budokan in a match against Tadao Yasuda on August 29, 2002. On December 9, 2003, a mere sixteen months into his professional career, he crushed Hiroshi Tenzan and was crowned the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history. Even as he pursued greatness in the professional wrestling ring, Nakamura participated in MMA, facing Daniel Gracie of the legendary jiu-jitsu family, and superheavyweight kickboxing champion Alexey Ignashov. Now he thrills fans in the United States and beyond on a weekly basis as one of the top wrestlers in the world.”
After winning the 2018 Royal Rumble, Nakamura sets his sights on the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 52 this April.
Are you looking to pick up the Shinsuke Nakamura autobiography? What do you hope to learn in its pages? Let us know in the comments section below.