By: James Carlin
2018 saw a massive change in STARDOM. A year before Bushiroad would successfully acquire the company, “Prime Minister” Kagetsu became the STARDOM Dojo’s head trainer. One of his stand-out students would go on to become “the Golden Phoenix” Saya Kamitani.
Only two years into her career, Kamitani has become one of STARDOM’s biggest attractions and currently holds the company’s secondary singles belt – the Wonder of Stardom championship – with recent defenses against MIRAI, Tam Nakano and Natsupoi.
6度目の防衛
成功しました！！🕊✨
全力が魂をねじ伏せた👊🏻スカしてなんかないで、
最初から感情剥き出しの
MIRAIで来いよ！！！！！！ライバル、
なってあげても良いけど‥
白いベルトはまだまだ遠いよ😉ねぇねぇ、
白いベルト
"心から"欲しくなった？#STARDOM pic.twitter.com/ytIru5ob1a— 上谷沙弥 (@sayachan38vv) May 28, 2022
Before becoming the holder of the illustrious White Belt, she held the Goddess of Stardom tag team championships alongside Queen’s Quest leader Utami Hayashishita as AphroditE, holding them for 153 days unti losing them to OEDotai’s Konami and Bea Priestley.
One of her biggest influence comes greatly from New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi. Her finishing move is the Phoenix Splash and she’s often been vocal about wanting to work with him during interviews.
今まで散々言われてきたけど、
良い意味で捉えれば
それだけ凄い人達が巻いてきたってこと。
歴史があって、魅力が詰まりまくってる
このワンダーのベルト。
それを今私が巻いているのは事実。
誇りを持ってやってるし
今は自信を持って
自分色に染めてるって言えるよ🕊👊🏻✨#STARDOM pic.twitter.com/LzqBr3AA4a— 上谷沙弥 (@sayachan38vv) May 18, 2022
Outside of the joshi puroresu circle, Kamitani’s fantastic title reign has gone mostly under the radar. Peers such as Starlight Kid, AZM, Utami Hayashishita and Syuri have all been featured in the spotlight. For the Golden Phoenix, that time has yet to come – and that’s why she’s Monthly Puroresu’s one to watch.
Date:
June 6, 2022
Category:
The Midcard