Hiromu Takahashi Vacates The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

Hiromu Takahashi has vacated the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.

Prior to Thursday’s Road to Castle Attack event in Korakuen Hall, Takahashi addressed the fans before he relinquished his championship belt to NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi. Later in the night, El Desperado, Taiji Ishimori and El Phantasmo all made their cases for the vacant title.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling previously announced Takahashi would miss an estimated six months of time due to a torn left pectoral muscle. According to the statement, Takahashi sustained the injury on February 19 in Morioka and is “currently undergoing medical evaluation.” Takahashi was also held off of the February 20 event due to the injury prior to making the statement.

This was Takahashi’s fourth reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. He held the title for 51 days after beating Ishimori for it on night two of Wrestle Kingdom 15.