(NOAH/NEW JAPAN) The G1 is going to be a competition in all matches, winning will make you think, "I want to see Noah with Kaito Kiyomiya" - interview with Kaito Kiyomiya
13th July 2023
PROFILE
Born: July 17th 1996 in Saitama Prefecture. 26 years old.
He admired Mitsuharu Misawa and joined Pro Wrestling Noah at the age of 18. After training overseas, in 2018 he was crowned with the GHC Heavyweight Championship. At the age of 22, he was the youngest ever to win the title. This is the first time that a Japanese wrestler from another promotion has participated in the G1 CLIMAX since Naomichi Marufuji and Katsuhiko Nakajima in 2016. In order to participate in the G1, Kiyomiya will miss thirteen Noah events (July 15th at Korakuen Hall to August 28th in Kawasaki). Kiyomiya, who is always "for Noah" or "enliven Noah", has a stronger "Noah love" than anyone else, so what made him decide to participate in the G1 and miss thirteen Noah events? Just before the league opens, Kiyomiya revealed his heart to "Pro Wrestling TODAY".
"In order to change the current formula, I decided to take a break from Noah and participate in New Japan's G1"
Q: Kiyomiya, when you were a pro wrestling fan, what was the G1 that remains the most in your memory?
KIYOMIYA: I didn't even join a pro wrestling site because I wanted to watch the G1. When I saw the digest on a show at midnight, I remember when Kazuchika Okada suddenly appeared. Who is this person? That was the G1 that left the biggest impression on me.
Q: Did you go to see New Japan Pro Wrestling at the venue?
KIYOMIYA: New Japan really only a few times, what I saw at the venues was Pro Wrestling Noah.
Q: That really is "Noah Life". What did you think about participating in the G1, but missing Noah during that period?
KIYOMIYA: I thought about it. Now that Noah is being broadcast on ABEMA, I feel there is a huge response. Even in the ring I feel that the flow is fast every day. I want to get into this momentum and make it more exciting, so the N-1 VICTORY, Noah's annual singles league match to decide who is number one, is a big one. I was hesitant because I was going to miss it, but I thought about it, and I have felt the difference with New Japan so far, and I thought that the situation that hadn't changed for a long time, could be changed here. In order to really spread Noah, I decided to change the current formula, and enter New Japan so that Noah could move forward.
Q: So it was your own intention to participate in the G1?
KIYOMIYA: Yes, when I received the office and heard about it from Noah, I thought "New Japan must have thought that it would be interesting if Kiyomiya appeared in the G1".
Q: With your addition, the A Block has become the most popular block in the qualifying league.
KIYOMIYA: I would appreciate it if you could give me attention
Q: The first person you reacted to when you saw the lineup of A Block was SANADA, the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
KIYOMIYA: Well, SANADA is already the face of New Japan Pro Wrestling. The reason why I am participating is getting the lead role in New Japan Pro Wrestling and going back to Noah. Winning the G1 and winning the leading role, will spread my name and that of Noah's. When I saw the members of the league and that I could do it with the boss, that was the only thing that caught my eye. Defeat SANADA and return to Noah.
The topic of "Reiwa's Three Muskeeteers" is also all in the opener.
Q: It has caused a great deal of discussion that the "Reiwa Three Musketeers" are all in the same A Block, aren't they?
KIYOMIYA: Yes
Q: Everyone, including yourself, are in your 20s. I have no idea what kind of match "Kaito Kiyomiya vs Reiwa's Three Musketeers" will turn out to be like. I think that's one of the reasons that people are asking, "What will happen in Block A?"
KIYOMIYA: For me personally, they are one of the enemies, but I think it's a good thing that "Reiwa's Three Musketeers" are becoming a hot topic. However, in the opening round, I'm thinking of taking all.
Q: Oh!
"I want to betray what the pro wrestling fans have in mind, in a good way"
KIYOMIYA: I would like to show the fans what Mutoh-san made me feel in the ring. There were moments when I felt "Mutoh-san was amazing" and surprise that "There are things like this". Fighting with Mutoh-san gave me various experiences, and I think I have absorbed all of them, including that, and I think I can show it (to the fans).
Q: As someone who has experienced Keiji Mutoh, do you feel a sense of responsibility?
KIYOMIYA: I feel it. In particular, being able to experience a singles match with Mutoh-san many times was a big deal. However, speaking of "responsibility", I've really had the chance to fight with a lot of seniors up until now, and I feel like I'm thinking that they probably said, "Kiyomiya, come more!"
Q: Do you mean that there is a difference in ability?
KIYOMIYA: In matches I say a lot of things in a really cheeky way (laughs), all the seniors accepted that kind of thing. When I joined Noah, Ogawa-san (Yoshinari) taught me for a long time, when I was 20 years old, I became the disciple of Sugiura-san (Takashi) and joined The Sugiura Army. From there, I decided to go abroad and go at it alone, and I got to experience singles matches with various people. Each time I feel that "this is the kind of professional wrestling", I feel that there is no greater value in being able to have that kind of experience.
Q: By the way, in the G1, the league matches are 20 minutes one on one
KIYOMIYA: I am not really thinking about the match time. I have to change the way I fight, but on the contrary, I think there will be a difference in pro wrestling technology, but I think I will do it.
Q: Are you thinking of a secret plan for the G1?
KIYOMIYA: I am thinking of a lot of things. It's the same with the match time, and it's my first time participating in another promotion for a while.
Q: When you go to the countryside, there is also the problem of where to eat after matches.
KIYOMIYA: Yes (laughs) I'm on my own and there is no one around to help.
Q: Like when you were training overseas.
KIYOMIYA: I won't know until that time, but when I went abroad, I was a little surprised on the first day that there was no one who could speak Japanese. So, after sleeping for a day, I was already enjoying the situation (laughs) I wonder if I will also adjust to the G1 well.
Q: You seem to have a high degree of resilience.
KIYOMIYA: No no (laughs) But I vitality tends to be strong by itself
Q: As expected of someone who has fought against veteran strongmen. The G1 is a series of tough singles matches, but what is the key to winning?
KIYOMIYA: I think that the technology that I have cultivated at Noah will be the most useful. I have experienced many long matches, and basically, I have a lot of confidence in "passivity". I think that it's important to keep fighting for a long time, and with the skills I learned at Noah, I will fight with confidence and win.
Q: Oh!
"To all the fans of New Japan Pro Wrestling, I will make you a match that makes you think "I want to go and see Noah!", enliven the G1 and win the championship"
The G1 is a competition in all matches, there is no intention of doing it on friendly terms.
KIYOMIYA: Yes that's right, before I knew it (laughs). I have been told many times that I'm young, but I joined Noah when I was eighteen, and it's already been eight years.
Q: Starting against Keiji Mutoh, you have fought with some amazing faces, and on big stages such as Tokyo Dome and overseas, the depth of your career is amazing. Although this is your first time participating in the G1, I wondered if you wouldn't be nervous over the slightest thing.
KIYOMIYA: On the contrary, I think it's good to be able to come without being relaxed in terms of the current subject. I don't have a strangely calm feeling like, "Today's match should be like this". I face every match with a fresh feeling, so new ideas like, "I want to do more like this today" are born, and I think that's what makes up my current style.
Q: In that case, fighting wrestlers who you are facing in singles matches for the first time in the G1, "a new Kaito Kiyomiya" is likely to be seen.
KIYOMIYA: Well, in my mind, "I want to leave Noah and fight in another promotion", was a completely unthinkable idea. However, I feel like I've had matches with other promotions recently, so I'm looking forward to participating in New Japan's G1, even if I take a break from Noah, like this time. If I'm going to enter the promotion, I might not have time to enjoy it, but I have a feeling that when I return to Noah, after having new experiences in the G1, I'll be able to show the audience a "new Kaito Kiyomiya".
Q: From the standpoint of the New Japan wrestlers, you are a "delicious prey to eat", so naturally you will be targeted.
KIYOMIYA: It's a competition in all matches, and I don't plan on doing it on friendly terms. In the league I only see SANADA, and in the final round, I will beat Kazuchika Okada and win the championship. I will return to Noah after winning the lead in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Q: Finally, do you have any message for the fans who are watching "Kaito Kiyomiya who was able to enter the G1?"
KIYOMIYA: I am going to the G1 to spread Noah, so I will fight every match so that people will look at Kaito Kiyomiya and think, "This is the kind of wrestler in Noah" or "Noah is so interesting". Please look forward to Kaito Kiyomiya's matches.
Q: Thank you for all your hard work right before the G1.
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