Saya Kamitani Reveals Who Influenced Her When She Began Her Career as a Pro Wrestler, Names Her One Future Goal

By: Lewis Carlan

STARDOM superstar Saya Kamitani is currently one of the best pro-wrestlers in the world and she worked really hard to get to reach her current status. Whenever she steps into the ring, she is full of confidence and showcases her immense skills as an in-ring tactician.

But the Saya Kamitani we know today as a STARDOM superstar almost never existed. In a new interview with Hominis, Kamatani revealed that when she was a trainee, she knew nothing about pro-wrestling and thought it looked painful. It even crossed her mind that she didn’t want to do pro-wrestling but then that all changed when she saw a match featuring Kota Ibushi. Kamitani credits Ibushi as being a major influence on her early on in her career.

From Saya Kamitani:

“In terms of pro wrestling, it’s Kota Ibushi. When I became a trainee, I knew nothing about pro wrestling. I thought it looked scary and painful, and I thought, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ But when I saw Ibushi-san dancing gracefully in mid-air, it changed my impression, making me realize, ‘There’s a side of pro wrestling like this too.’ At the time, my heart hadn’t caught up yet, and it was just a few months after my debut. When I was researching pro wrestling, I happened to see Ibushi-san’s Phoenix Splash and Shooting Star Press. I still remember the shock I felt from all those aerial techniques.” (H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for English translation)

Photo Credit: STARDOM

During the interview, Kamitani was asked what the pro wrestling ring means to her and she had very deep answer.

From Saya Kamitani:

“The ring is where I feel most at home. When I’m at home, I can’t help but think negative thoughts, but when I’m in the ring, I can love myself 100 percent. That’s what that place is to me.” (Translated via Deepl.com)

During the course of her career, Kamitani has accomplished many of her goals including winning the World of STARDOM Championship and being the first woman to be named the Tokyo Sports MVP in 2025. Kamitani was asked what her current goal is and she stated it is to main event a STARDOM show at Tokyo Dome.

From Saya Kamitani:

“My goal as a pro wrestler is to headline a Stardom show at the Tokyo Dome. To do that, I have to make plenty of appearances not just in the ring, but in the media as well. I believe I’m currently the top female wrestler when it comes to media exposure, so I want to become even more popular. If I become popular, the popularity of women’s pro wrestling will naturally rise as well. That’s exactly why I want to become a superstar who transcends the world of pro wrestling. I’ll do my best to make that happen, so you guys better keep your eyes on Saya-sama from now on, okay?” (Translated via Deepl.com)

STARDOM has experienced skyrocketing popularity over the past year and Saya Kamitani is a major factor as to why that has occurred. With Kamitani leading the charge, and the rise of popularity of STARDOM, a Tokyo Dome event could be closer than most people think.

If STARDOM does get to the point where they run a show at Tokyo Dome, there is only one individual who must be guaranteed a spot in the main event and her name is Saya Kamitani, she has earned it.