On 15 November 2016, 24 wrestlers from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) made their way to Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands for WRESTLING WORLD 2016 IN SINGAPORE. The star-studded line-up included current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, the Man of Talent, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega who was spearheading Bullet Club and Tetsuya Naito who is the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon.
Before the start of the event, 10 photographers from EOS World were invited exclusively to the venue to attend a special lecture on wrestling photography by NJPW official photographer, Takayuki Nishino. During the lecture, EOS World photographers were given a tour of the venue as well as pointers by Nishino on various methods and tips to capture the wrestlers at their best during the matches. During the match, the photographers were also given the privilege to take their best shots at designated corners outside the ring.
Wrestling fans were in for a night of non-stop ring action with a total of 7 matches which included both single and tag team matches. It was without any doubt that the highlight of the night was the title match for NEVER Openweight Champion between the 13th Champion EVIL and challenger Katsuyori Shibata. After a grueling match lasting 16 minutes and 25 seconds, Shibata won against EVIL and regained the belt as the 14th NEVER Openweight Championship.
Amidst all the action in the ring, wrestling fans could also be seen passionately taking photos of their favourite wrestlers. As part of Canon Photo Party, Canon provided pre-registered photographers with some of the latest Canon equipment for tryout during the matches. Armed with their cameras, fans were excited to learn that the Canon Photo Party would be conducted during the match between Kazuchika Okada/YOSHI-HASHI team and Kenny Omega/Yujiro Takahashi team. The match which lasted for 12 minutes and 18 seconds saw Kazuchika Okada and YOSHI-HASHI emerging victorious.
After the event, fans were invited to take part in a photo contest to submit their best photos taken during the Canon Photo Party. 4 winners were selected for contest and their photos were chosen personally by the four wrestlers themselves. Each winner walked away with one Canon SELPHY printer as well as one signed t-shirt from each wrestler.
Check out the 4 winning shots selected by Kazuchika Okada, Yoshi-Hashi, Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi.
Congratulations to the 4 winners!
Kazuchika Okada Prize
(Photo taken by Declan Gopal)
“I don’t have much to say…except that this picture managed to capture an even cooler Okada.” – Kazuchika Okada
Yoshi-Hashi Prize
(Photo taken by Richard Ng)
“Thank you for taking such an action-packed photo during WRESTLING WORLD 2016 IN SINGAPORE!” – Yoshi Hashi
Kenny Omega Prize
(Photo taken by Andrew Octavianus)
Yujiro Takahashi Prize
(Photo taken by Kashvinder Singh Mann)
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