Rina Explains Why She Said “STARDOM Isn’t Just About Kamitani”

By: Lewis Carlan

On Aug. 23rd, Rina defeated Starlight Kid to win the prestigious STARDOM 5★STAR GP tournament. At only 19 years old, Rina became the youngest competitor to ever win the tournament.

After accomplishing the biggest feat of her young career, Rina triumphantly addressed the over 5,000 fans in attendance at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. One interesting thing Rina said was that STARDOM is not just about Saya Kamitani.

During a press conference on Aug. 24, Rina was asked about that comment and she offered this explanation as to why she said it.

From Rina:

“I actually spent the first three days of a month-long overseas tour with Kamitani in America. Around that time, I’d also started talking with Kamitani much more. Even in America, I was really inspired by the fact that what Kamitani thinks about isn’t just herself. She thinks about STARDOM and the entire pro wrestling industry. Since we’re in the same unit, H.A.T.E., I know how busy she is and how much she does outside of pro wrestling as well. So now that I’ve won this 5★STAR, I feel that I have to do that much myself too. I also have to start taking the lead more and more in other areas. I’ve been inspired by her so much that I think that’s what led to me saying, ‘It’s not just Kamitani.’ I said it in the heat of the moment at the time, but I think the fact that I said it in the heat of the moment means it’s something I genuinely feel. I also want to make STARDOM the number one promotion in the world, so that’s why I made that statement.”

Photo Credit: STARDOM

Rina was asked how H.A.T.E., the faction she is a member of, reacted to her winning the STARDOM 5★STAR GP. She stated everyone was happy for her and even Fukigen Death was in a rare good mood.

From Rina:

“Everyone was happy for me. Even Fukigen Death★ was in a good mood for the first time in a long time, which honestly made me happy too. After I went around the ring at the end and then went over to H.A.T.E., everyone celebrated me with a big ‘Woo!🎉’ That really made me think once again that H.A.T.E. is the best unit. I almost feel like I want the members of the other units to think, ‘Seriously, you guys need to work harder,’ because I think H.A.T.E. is still overwhelmingly the strongest unit. We don’t currently have any titles, but I still felt throughout this 5★STAR that we’re overwhelmingly the strongest. When it came down to the important moments of 5★STAR, I felt like H.A.T.E. was ultimately the group carrying the main events. H.A.T.E.’s era is still going, and I think it’s going to continue from here too.”

With her STARDOM 5★STAR GP 2026 victory, Rina will now go on to challenge for the World of STARDOM Championship currently held by Suzu Suzuki.

(H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for the English quote translation)