(NOAH/NEW JAPAN) "This is the best choice", "Mutoh-san is the key to victory" - Preparation for first G1 appearance

14th June 2023

Tokyo Sports

The star of the summer! 

Noah's former GHC Heavyweight Champion, Kaito Kiyomiya (26) spoke passionately about his enthusiasm for his first appearance at New Japan Pro Wrestling's midsummer festival "G1 Climax" (starts July 15th in Sapporo). What is the determination of the young warrior to miss his own promotion's league, the "N-1 Victory 2023"?

Q: Your debut in the G1 has been determined? 

KIYOMIYA: I don't think there is any point in going there unless I win, of course, and come back a star of New Japan, because I am going without appearing in my own promotion. 

Q: There is a certain amount of determination due to the fact that you are going to be absent from your own promotion.

KIYOMIYA: I feel that Noah is rising in momentum now, but even so, New Japan's leadership in the industry has not changed. My goal is to spread Noah and bring it to the top of the pro wrestling world, that's why I feel like I should take a break from the N-1.

Q: There are pros and cons to that choice.

KIYOMIYA: Of course I know, but I think this is the best choice to spread Noah if you put faith in my fight in the G1.

Q: What kind of fight will you have in the G1?

KIYOMIYA: I want to make sure that I never waver from my fights I have been doing in Noah. Even so, I think it will look fresh to the fans who will be seeing it for the first time. I want to show my current self not only in matches, but also in entrances and everything else.

Q: SANADA, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, has been entered into the same A Block.

KIYOMIYA: It was the first thing that caught my eye when I saw the card. In one fell swoop, the current star over there and myself (July 25th Korakuen) It made me feel that I'm definitely going to defeat him and win the championship. 

Q: SANADA also uses techniques inherited from Keiji Mutoh, such as the Shining Wizard.

KIYOMIYA: The style is similar, and there is an impression that "the tradition of professional wrestling is being cherished". That is why I want to compete in the same ring. 

Q: What is the key to victory?

KIYOMIYA: It's Mutoh-san, isn't it? There is a technique that I am particular about, so I can't afford to lose there. "The deep battle of Mutoh love?" I agree with that, and well, I definitely want to go above and beyond in that area. 

Q: Shota Umino, Ren Narita and Yota Tsuji of the same generation in New Japan are also in the same block.

KIYOMIYA: There is an impression that they have already broken into the top of New Japan. When I was young, I used to fight New Japan in a competition called "Lionsgate", so I always say, "I never want to lose". 

Q: What about Kazuchika Okada, who is in a separate block?

KIYOMIYA: It figures that I don't like that. He's running away*, and I can't see him as an opponent.

Q: Are you talking about when you clashed in the six man tag at the joint show "ALL TOGETHER" between New Japan, Noah and All Japan on the 9th?

KIYOMIYA: Yes. Kazuchika Okada is always on my mind, so I plan to use the frustration of ALL TOGETHER, to win the G1. If I keep moving forward, it will naturally lead to a fight. 

Q: Mutoh cheered you on saying, "Go with the intention of enriching New Japan also"

KIYOMIYA: I really intend to do that, and I want to attract current fans by showing the skills that I inherited from Mutoh-san in my own way in the New Japan ring. Because Mutoh-san was there, and I am now, I would like to express that in New Japan.

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports

Note

Running away: The original Japanese was "Sukasa" or "Ska". This is a sumo terminology which doesn't translate well into English, which basically means to run away from the sumo stable to avoid fights. There isn't really any equivalent in English.