Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
By: Lewis Carlan
On Aug. 16th, New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Ryohei Oiwa won the biggest match of his career when he defeated Yuya Uemura in a mat classic to win the G1 Climax 36 tournament. The victory has elevated Oiwa and has given him an opportunity at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against either Yota Tsuji or Hirooki Goto on Oct. 12 at the King of Pro Wrestling event.
Back in Sept. 2023, Oiwa graduated from being a Young Lion and began his excursion with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Oiwa formed an alliance with Kaito Kiyomiya while in NOAH.
Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
During his excursion, Oiwa extensively trained with NOAH legend Yoshinari Ogawa. Kiyomiya had also trained with Ogawa in Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Ogawa was interviewed by Professional Wrestling Martial Arts DX recently and gave his thoughts on Oiwa and Kiyomiya. Ogawa stated he feels Oiwa has risen higher than Kiyomiya in the world of pro-wrestling. Ogawa believes there is a big gap that separates Oiwa and Kiyomiya.
From Yoshinari Ogawa:
“I trained Kiyomiya too, but he’s gone in a completely different direction, and there’s a big gap between him and Oiwa now. Oiwa has definitely risen higher. There’s a difference between a wrestler who’s happy just for beating a rookie in the first match and a wrestler who wins the G1, right? Well, since we’re talking about Oiwa, let’s leave Kiyomiya out of it.”
Kaito Kiyomiya took to social media and admitted he read the interview and was seemingly hurt by Ogawa’s comparison of him to Oiwa.
From Kaito Kiyomiya:
“I read it with great anticipation,
thinking it was an interview with Mr. Ogawa, so it’s all the more painful.”
Kaito Kiyomiya will be participating in the upcoming Pro Wrestling NOAH N-1 VICTORY 2026 tournament. With the stinging words from Ogawa, one could say there is a little more pressure than normal for the struggling Kiyomiya to emerge victorious and win the N-1 tournament.
(All English quote translations via Deepl.com)
Date:
August 19, 2026
Category:
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