(NOAH/G1 CLIMAX) ""Block A is "my own" block" - excerpt from interview with SANADA regarding Kaito Kiyomiya

6th July 2023
New Japan.co.jp

Q: Your 4th match will be against Kaito Kiyomiya at Korakuen on the 25th July. What kind of image do you have of Kiyomiya, who can said to be the hottest wrestler in this years G1? 
SANADA: To be honest, I haven't received any information about him, so I don't know much about him. But, even if I look at social media, I wonder if there is momentum somehow. Kiyomiya is probably the same as me, and I think that no matter what he says, he will often be denied. 
Q: There may be a lot of pros and cons recently
SANADA: Tsuji went to Korakuen the other day, didn't he? I thought that Kiyomiya was ignoring Tsuji, and that he was being denied. But, I think he would have been denied, even if he didn't ignore Tsuji. The point is that no matter what you do, you will be denied, so Kiyomiya should do what he likes. 
Q: In a sense do you feel that he is in a similar situation to you currently? 
SANADA: I think negativity comes with trying to do something new, and it can't be helped.
Q: Does it look like Kiyomiya is trying to break the current state? 
SANADA: Yes. His condition seems to be good, and I think his technique is amazing, but somehow I don't feel his charm, and I feel a little more about it. 
Q: There are a few attractive things in SANADA
SANADA: Other than that, I think he's fine. 
Q: Ahead of the G1, Kiyomiya is strongly focused on you, saying, "A Block is SANADA!"
SANADA: Okada isn't in the same block, so there is no point in saying "Okada, Okada" like before. It's better to say "SANADA" there, because he is the champion, and the most delicious. However, I'm not thinking about Noah, and in the first place I'm not thinking about losing. When it comes to categorizing it is an official G1 match, it doesn't feel like a situation of a promotional battle, and I don't have that kind of awareness. 
Q: However, some viewers, especially New Japan fans, may think, "I don't want the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion to lose"
SANADA: That would be a big deal (for the fans), but I don't have the image of losing. But, if I underestimate him, I will be able to slip up, so I would like to confront him after thorough research. 
Q: This will also be a "Shining Showdown" as each of you use The Shining Wizard.
SANADA: Personally, I want to win without relying on that, but, if I say that and use The Shining Wizard on the day, I wonder if I'll be like "What the hell?" (laughs) But, I want to fight without being too conscious of such things. 

Comments