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Yoshinori Kimura (木村 吉公, Kimura Yoshinori ^?), better known by his ring name Gran Naniwa (愚乱・浪花 ^?), is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Naniwa is known for his comedic performances and outrageous attire while performing mannerisms of crabs, which is reflected upon in the design of his wrestling mask.

Career

Naniwa debuted professionally in 1993 in Michinoku Pro Wrestling, immediately making an impact as one of the most popular faces within the company. His first major attempt at becoming a top performer saw him compete in the 1995 Super J Cup. Naniwa managed to get to the quarterfinals, but he was later eliminated by Jushin Liger, who later went on to win the Super J Cup. After this, Kimura took a brief hiatus for a few years but made his return in 2006, again under his Gran Naniwa ring name, competing in a match for New Japan Pro Wrestling's now defunct WRESTLE LAND "brand".

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Clutch de Naniwa (Modified arm wrench inside cradle)
  • Driver de Naniwa (Sitout scoop slam piledriver)
  • Spinning gutwrench powerbomb

• Signature moves
  • Crab Walk (Naniwa walks sideways on the top rope before hitting an elbow drop)
  • Double underhook DDT
  • Emerald flowsion
  • Frankensteiner

References