(NOAH/NEW JAPAN) "Spreading Kaito Kiyomiya and Noah...convinced of victory" - Kaito Kiyomiya reveals the true meaning of his first participation in New Japan's G1

10th July 2023
Sports Hochi

Kaito Kiyomiya, Noah's former GHC Heavyweight Champion, responded to an exclusive interview with Sports Hochi on the 10th. He revealed his thoughts on New Japan's G1 Climax 33 (opens on the 15th at Sapporo's Kitaeru), in which he will compete for the first time. Kiyomiya has entered into the G1 A block where he will face the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji and others.

Kiyomiya will be absent from thirteen Noah shows from July to August, including Noah's midsummer strongest singles league, N-1 VICTORY (opens at the Yokohama Budokan on August 6th) for the G1. 

Kenoh, who teamed up with Kiyomiya at the Hachioji event on the 9th, said in the ring after the match, "Kiyomiya! Go all out in the G1, and win. I will win the N-1. Kiyomiya and I, in the Noah ring, let's have a singles match between the N-1 and the G1 winners." Kiyomiya promised, "I'll come back after winning the G1 Climax". Furthermore, after the match in responding to Sports Hochi's exclusive interview, he said, "I'm grateful for Kenoh's support. I will definitely win and return to Noah." Furthermore, he revealed his feelings that led to the decision to concentrate on the G1, even if it meant missing Noah. "I thought a lot about taking a break from Noah to enter the G1. There is also the N-1 which decides Noah's number one of the year, and furthermore, Noah now feels extremely fast paced during matches. I felt like I was becoming the center of that. But even so, when I thought about spreading Noah even more, I decided to do what I didn't want to do until now. What I didn't want to do was leave Noah, and go to another promotion." Further more he said in an impassioned tone, "I feel that New Japan's position at the top of the industry will not change, and I have no choice but to admit that. But I think Noah is the best, so I really want to spread Noah more, and as a means to that end, I will appear in the G1 and spread Kaito Kiyomiya and Noah. I think that will be good for Noah. After winning the championship, I will become the main role in New Japan and return to Noah. Please look forward to it."

Participating in the G1 to make Noah the top of the industry. But, there is another reason, it is revenge against Kazuchika Okada, who he lost to at the Tokyo Dome on the 21st February in Keiji Mutoh's retirement match. 

"The frustration of losing to Kazuchika Okada has led me to the G1. Since then, I have fought with the burning desire to catch up to Okada, and eventually overtake him. Fighting against Kazuchika Okada in The Dome, I certainly felt the power of taking over the whole atmosphere of the venue. I think that Kazuchika Okada is definitely leading the current pro wrestling world. However, it's been four months since then, and I've experienced many different matches, and am completely different from when I was at The Dome. I want to use that transformation as a weapon". 

Okada has entered the B Block in the G1, so the only way to get revenge, is to advance to the finals. 

"I'm only looking at winnings, so I'm definitely going to the finals. That's why I want Kazuchika Okada to win as well. Okada said to me at "ALL TOGETHER" (9th June, Ryogoku Kokugikan), "Let's get along", but I don't have the slightest intention of getting along. I am only thinking about becoming the lead role, and returning to Noah. I will defeat Kazuchika Okada in the best situation of the final match, and bring Noah to the top of the Pro Wrestling world". 

In order to avenge himself against Okada, breaking through A block is the minimum requirement. In the same block, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji and other strong opponents await. 

"I can only see the leading role of New Japan in my field of vision. The current lead is SANADA. I'm in the same block as the chief, there is no other in sight."

His strong confidence is the pride that comes from being a Noah Born. 

"I am proud of what I have done in Noah. I am sure that if I can show that, I will naturally be able to win". 

On the 15th July Kiyomiya's G1 will start with an opening match in Sapporo against Yota Tsuji. Perhaps the New Japan fans have little experience of Noah, and he expects booing from the venue. Kiyomiya says, "Being booed is good too. Never take it negatively. I think there will be criticism in order to make Noah bigger, that's why I'm going to turn it around. I will take the leading role this summer".

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