Kento Miyahara Admits His Missed Opportunities May Be The Result Of Letting His Guard Down

By: Lewis Carlan

The past year for Kento Miyahara can be described as somewhat of a disappointment for the All Japan Pro-Wrestling megastar. With the exception of winning the AJPW World Tag Team Championship in March 2025 with Yuma Aoyagi,  Miyahara hasn’t experienced much success with title and tournament opportunities over the past year.

Miyahara, who is a six time AJPW Triple Crown Championship, last held the coveted title over two years ago. He received three opportunities since May 2024 to strap the Triple Crown belt around his waist for the seventh time facing then champions Yuma Anzai, Yuma Aoyagi and current titleholder Jun Saito. Unfortunately for Miyahara, he was defeated each time which had to be a major disappointment for the superstar.

In December 2024, Miyahara made it to the finals of the Real World Tag League with partner Davey Boy Smith Jr. but fell short as they were defeated by Jun & Rei Saito.

In Oct. and Dec. 2024, Miyahara teamed with Ryo Inoue as they attempted to win the All Asia Tag Team Championship but were denied each time by then champions Yuma Anzai & Rising HAYATO.

In last year’s Royal Road Tournament, Miyahara was eliminated in a semi-final loss to Ryuki Honda.

A frustrated Miyahara stated earlier in the year that he would retire if he didn’t win a title in 2025. Thankfully, he will not have to retire as he was able to win the AJPW Tag Team titles with Aoyagi back in March.

Photo Credit: AJPW

While speaking with Tokyo Sports recently, Miyahara admitted that he may have let guard down which resulted in missed opportunities over the past year.

From Kento Miyahara:

“Recently, I’ve been missing opportunities by the narrowest of margins. I can’t finally grab victory. I’ve finally realized why. I think I may have let my guard down somewhere. I think I was relieved that I was able to avoid the ‘I’ll retire if I don’t win a title’ thing I said in an interview after a back-and-forth. Even after I lost, I may have been too lenient and made excuses like, ‘It’s okay because I got the crowd excited’ l. That’s no good. At my level, results are what’s expected.”

The 2025 Royal Road Tournament kicked off on Aug. 24 in Korakuen Hall. Miyahara who is looking to raise the tournament trophy as it’s winner, got off to successful start with a tough victory over Kengo Mashimo.

With the first round win, Kento Miyahara will face Naoya Nomura in the second round of the Royal Road Tournament on Sept. 6th at the Light Cube Utsunomiya.

One could argue that Miyahara may have lost a bit of confidence in himself which is why winning the 2025 Royal Road Tournament could be called crucial for the superstar.

Photo Credit: AJPW

Despite his struggles in the past year, Miyahara’s popularity with the AJPW fans has not diminished. Loud chants of “Kento” can still be heard whenever he enters a venue and walks down the aisle to the ring.

It’s no secret that Miyahara hopes to win the Royal Road Tournament as that will automatically earn him another shot at the AJPW Triple Crown Championship.

Kento Miyahara would love nothing more than to erase any self doubts and end 2025 holding the Triple Crown Title for the seventh time in his career.