(NOAH) Kaito Kiyomiya receives reinforcements from the kick world, if he fails to take the GHC in the Kenoh match, "I can't go to the top anymore"

Tokyo Sports

6th September 2022

Kaito Kiyomiya (26), who won Noah's single league, "N-1 VICTORY 2O22", showed his determination to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship from the champion, Kenoh (37). In the championship match of the Osaka event on the 3rd, he defeated Hideki Suzuki with a modified Shining Wizard, and achieved his second victory for the first time in four years, which includes the Global League*. Kiyomiya recalls that, "There were many wrestlers who I had singles with for the first time, and I was able to experience the breadth of pro wrestling. I was able to arrange Mutoh's technique in my own way, and I gained confidence and a sense of accomplishment".

At the Aichi Dolphins Arena event on the 25th, the long awaited GHC Heavyweight challenge has been decided. Regarding the champion Kenoh, Kiyomiya admits that he is a special opponent saying that, "We have always fought at turning points. When I was in training, we practiced together, and there was the time when we were in the same unit*". On top of that he expressed a sense of crisis saying, "Right now we are distant from each other, including the power of communication and topicality." Of course, he has no intention of falling behind. He said forcefully, "I want to win this time and shorten the distance, and if I can't catch it this time, then I don't think I can go to the top anymore. Fighting in such a blessed environment, it is not enough to have an experience like no other, and I will take on the challenge with determination and confidence!".

What ignited his fighting spirit even more was the recording of "Flame Athletic Association TV*" (TBS), which was scheduled to be broadcast on the 10th. Not only was he inspired by the topic of pro wrestling from the many celebrities who participated in the recording, but he also became close to Taiju Shiratori, a kickboxer who is connected to TEPPEN GYM, and he made a promise to come to training. "We are going to practice together at the gym next time. I hope I can learn various ways to use knees".  

Like this he will take the belt that he has been away from for two years and eight months.

Translated from Tokyo Sports/Picture credit Tokyo Sports

Notes

- Global League was the forerunner to the N-1 VICTORY, which replaced it in 2019. Kaito Kiyomiya won the very last Global League.

*With Takashi Sugiura, who bought them both into the heavyweight division. This is why Kenoh is seen by both the Japanese sports press and the fans as Kiyomiya's older brother. Kiyomiya seems also to be the person who can work Kenoh into a fury like no other i.e. Kiyomiya going on a dating show for example. Not that Kenoh would care if it was anyone else in Noah. Their current title match is different as Kenoh doesn't seem to be spitting the usual fire at him, then again their relationship is as fans say, that there is a lot of jealousy, but there is a lot of love. 

*Japanese game show where members of the public challenge sports professionals