Wikipedia

Saya Kamitani

Saya Kamitani (上谷沙弥, Kamitani Saya, born November 28, 1996) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is currently signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of Queen's Quest.[1]

Saya Kamitani
Kamitani in 2021
Birth nameSaya Kamitani (上谷 沙弥, Kamitani Saya)
Born (1996-11-28) November 28, 1996 (age 27)[1]
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Saya Kamitani[1]
Billed height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Billed weight58 kg (128 lb)[1]
Trained byKagetsu[2]
World Wonder Ring Stardom[3]
DebutAugust 10, 2019[1]

Kamitani is a former one-time Wonder of Stardom Champion, two-time Goddess of Stardom Champion, and the 2021 Cinderella Tournament winner.

Early life edit

Kamitani had a couple of dancing roles in 2014 as a support dancer.[3] She passed the audition to become a member of the idol group AKB48, however, according to the group's website, she was never listed as a full-time member.[3]

Professional wrestling career edit

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2018–present) edit

Early career (2018-2020) edit

 
Kamitani in October 2019.

Kamitani debuted in World Wonder Ring Stardom in a non-wrestling role as part of the Stardom Idols, a dancing and singing group.[3] While the Stardom Idols were short-lived, Kamitani passed Stardom's pro-test on July 10, 2019.[3]

Kamitani made her wrestling debut on August 10, 2019 at Korakuen Hall, where she unsuccessfully challenged Momo Watanabe.[3] On August 18, Kamitani gained her first victory when she teamed with Rina to defeat Queen's Quest (Hina and Leo Onozaki).[4] Kamitani competed in the 2019 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League together with Saya Iida as the 3838 Tag.[3][5] On December 8, Kamitani won the 2019 Rookie of Stardom Tournament by defeating Saya Iida in the finals.[6] In early 2020, Kamitani began to frequently wrestle alongside members of Stars.[7]

Queen's Quest (2020-present) edit

On February 16, 2020, Kamitani joined Queen's Quest after a loss to Utami Hayashishita.[3] On July 17, Kamitani lost in a three-way match against Saya Iida and Maika for the Future of Stardom Championship.[8] At the 2020 Cinderella Tournament on April 29, Kamitani fell short to Natsuko Tora in the first round.[9] On July 26, Kamitani and Utami Hayashishita won the vacant Goddess of Stardom Championship after defeating Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona and Konami).[10] At Yokohama Cinderella 2020 on October 3, Kamitani and Hayashishita had their first successful title defense when they defeated Donna Del Mondo (Himeka and Maika).[11] Kamitani and Hayashishita competed together in the 2020 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League as AphrOditE, which they would continue to use as their tag team name afterwards.[12] At Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020 on December 20, Kamitani unsuccessfully challenged for the Future of Stardom Championship in a three-way match against Maika and Saya Iida.[13] On December 26, AphrOditE lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to Oedo Tai (Bea Priestley and Konami), ending their reign at 153 days.[14]

At All Star Dream Cinderella on March 3, Kamitani received her first match for the World of Stardom Championship, in which she lost to Utami Hayashishita.[15] Kamitani won the 2021 Cinderella Tournament after defeating Maika in the finals.[16] At Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer on July 4, Kamitani unsuccessfully challenged Tam Nakano for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.[17] Kamitani competed in the Blue Stars block of the 2021 5Star Grand Prix which took place from July 31 to September 25. She scored a total of 11 points, which was not enough to advance to the finals.[18] At the 10th Anniversary Grand Finale Osaka Dream Cinderella on October 9, Kamitani, AZM, and Momo Watanabe unsuccessfully challenged MaiHimePoi for the Artist of Stardom Championship.[19] AphrOditE competed in the Red Goddess block of the 2021 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, in which they scored seven points.[20] At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, Kamitani became the number one contender for the Wonder of Stardom Championship by defeating Himeka and Natsupoi in a three-way match.[21] At Dream Queendom on December 29, Kamitani won the Wonder of Stardom Championship by defeating Tam Nakano.[22]

At Stardom Nagoya Supreme Fight on January 29, 2022, Kamitani successfully defended the Wonder of Stardom Championship against Mirai.[23] At Stardom Cinderella Journey on February 23, she defended the title successfully again against Natsupoi.[24] On the first night of the Stardom World Climax 2022 from March 26, she defended the title against Utami Hayashishita,[25] and on the second night from March 27, again versus Tam Nakano.[26] At Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2022, she only scored a draw against Maika in the second rounds of April 10.[27] At Stardom Golden Week Fight Tour on May 5, 2022, she defended the Wonder of Stardom Championship successfully against Maika.[28] At Stardom Flashing Champions on May 28, 2022, she defended it again against Mirai.[29] At Stardom Fight in the Top on June 26, 2022, Kamitani teamed up with AZM and Utami Hayashishita and competed one of Stardom's first steel cage matches, where they fell short to Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Koguma and Hazuki).[30] At Mid Summer Champions in Tokyo, the first event of the Stardom Mid Summer Champions series which took place on July 9, 2022, Kamitani defended the "white belt" once again against Starlight Kid.[31] At Mid Summer Champions in Nagoya, the last event from July 24, she defended the title against Saki.[32] At Stardom in Showcase vol.1 on July 23, 2022, Kamitani competed in a three-way casket match against Starlight Kid and Yuu who won the bout after unmasking from a "grim reaper costume".[33] At Stardom x Stardom: Nagoya Midsummer Encounter on August 21, 2022, she defeated Himeka to retain the Wonder of Stardom Championship. Kamitani was initially scheduled to defend against Kairi but the latter pulled out last minute due to COVID issues.[34] At the 2022 edition of the 5 Star Grand Prix which took place between July 30 and October 1, Kamitani competed in the "Blue Stars" block where she scored a total of 14 points.[35]

On April 23, 2023, at All Star Grand Queendom, Kamitani lost the Wonder of Stardom Championship to Mina Shirakawa, ending her reign at 480 days, with a record setting of 15-successful title defenses.[36] Kamitani competed in the 2023 5 Star Grand Prix, but withdrew from the tournament after she suffered a legitimate dislocated elbow during her first match of the tournament against Tam Nakano on July 23.[37] Kamitani made her return on November 28 alongside her AphrOditE teammate, Utami Hayashishita, who had also been out due to an injury.[38] At Nagoya Big Winter on December 2, AphrOditE won the vacant Goddess of Stardom Championship by defeating Divine Kingdom.[39]

On March 30, 2024, AphroditE lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to Crazy Star.[40]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2021-present) edit

 
Kamitani (left) with Momo Watanabe (right) after their victory at Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome on September 4, 2021.

Kamitani often competes in exhibition matches organized by NJPW in partnership with Stardom. On January 5, 2021, at the second night of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)'s Wrestle Kingdom 15, she made her first NJPW appearance where she, alongside AZM and Utami Hayashishita, defeated Himeka, Maika and Natsupoi in a dark match.[41] At Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome, Kamitani competed in both nights, first on September 4, 2021, where she teamed up with Momo Watanabe to defeat Lady C and Maika,[42] and on September 5, where she teamed again with Watanabe, this time in a losing effort against Donna Del Mondo's Giulia and Syuri.[43]

In other media edit

In 2014, Kamitani participated in EXILE's support dancers. She also has experience as a backstage dancer of Team A.

Championships and accomplishments edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "上谷沙弥". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese).
  2. ^ Murray, Dylan (February 4, 2020). "Closing The Kagetsu Story". DEADLOCK. DEADLOCK. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Richards, Alex (October 6, 2020). "Star Gazing: Saya Kamitani". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Pageot, Harley R. (August 27, 2019). "8/18 STARDOM 5STAR GRAND PRIX results: Night 2 featuring Arisa Hoshiki vs. Utami Hayashishita, Bea Priestley vs. Konami, & more". PWTorch. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Richards, Alex (November 21, 2019). "Stardom Best of Goddess (November 4) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  6. ^ Daly, Wayne (December 9, 2019). "STARDOM Results: Goddess Of Stars 2019 Day 4 – Tokyo, Japan (12/8)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "Saya Kamitani – Matches". Cagematch. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Richards, Alex (July 22, 2020). "Stardom Explode In Summer (July 17) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Daly, Wayne (March 24, 2020). "STARDOM Results: Cinderella Tournament 2020 – Tokyo, Japan (3/24)". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Richards, Alex (July 26, 2020). "#AndNEW: 3 New Champions At Stardom Cinderella Summer In Tokyo". Last Word on Pro Wrestling.
  11. ^ Ounpraseuth, Jason (October 3, 2020). "Stardom Yokohama Cinderella Results: Kairi Sane Backstage, Debuts, A Faction Disbands". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Harris, Jeffrey (October 7, 2020). "STARDOM Confirms Team Blocks & Rules for Goddess of Stardom Tag League". 411mania.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  13. ^ JoshiCity (November 11, 202). "Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella on 12/20/20 Review". joshicity.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  14. ^ Richards, Alex (December 26, 2020). "#AndNEW: Bea Priestley & Konami Win Goddesses Of Stardom Titles". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Richards, Alex (March 3, 2021). "Stardom All Star Dream Cinderella (March 3) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Duffy, John (June 12, 2021). "Saya Kamitani crowned the winner of STARDOM's Cinderella Tournament 2021". Diva Dirt. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Wyatt, Liam (July 5, 2021). "Full Results From Yokohama Dream Cinderella In Summer". itrwrestling.com. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  18. ^ WrestlingwithDemons (September 25, 2021). "9/25 STARDOM "5-STAR GRAND PRIX 2021" FINALS RESULTS". pwinsider.com. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  19. ^ McCrudden, Amber (October 9, 2021). "Returning Star challenges Utami Hayashishita for the World of Stardom Championship". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  20. ^ World Wonder Ring Stardom (October 13, 2021). 【記者会見】11・3とどろきアリーナ大会調印式＆第11回 ゴッデス・オブ・スターダム～タッグリーグ戦～出場選手発表！【#STARDOM 】. wwr-stardom.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Peterson, Karen (November 27, 2021). "Stardom Tokyo Super Wars Report: Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika, Nakano vs. Shirakawa". Post Wrestling. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  22. ^ Rose, Bryan (December 29, 2021). "NEW WORLD OF STARDOM CHAMPION CROWNED AT DREAM QUEENDOM". f4wonline.com. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Summers, Adam (January 30, 2022). "Big Audio Nightmare: Stardom Nagoya Supreme Fight review". f4wonline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  24. ^ Wrestling With Demons (February 23, 2022). "STARDOM "CINDERELLA JOURNEY 2022 IN NAGAOKA" RESULTS 2/23/22: TITLE CHANGE!". wrestlingwithdemons.com. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  25. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 26, 2022). "STARDOM World Climax 2022: The Best Results (3/26): Kairi Sane (KAIRI) Returns To The Ring". fightful.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  26. ^ Edwards, Scott (March 28, 2022). "STARDOM WORLD CLIMAX ~ THE TOP ~ (MARCH 27) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  27. ^ Daly, Wayne (April 10, 2022). "STARDOM Results: Cinderella Tournament 2022 Day 2 – Osaka, Japan (4/10)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Peterson, Karen (May 5, 2022). "STARDOM Fukuoka Goddess Festival: Saya Kamitani vs. Maika, Goddesses of Stardom match". Post Wrestling. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  29. ^ Richards, Alex (May 28, 2022). "Stardom Flashing Champions 2022 News Round-Up". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  30. ^ Peterson, Karen (June 27, 2022). "Stardom Fight in the Top Report: Six-Woman Tag Cage Match, Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi". Post Wrestling. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  31. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 9, 2022). "STARDOM MidSummer Champions Results (7/9/22) / Syuri vs. Momo Watanabe And More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  32. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 24, 2022). "STARDOM MidSummer Champions 2022 In Nagoya Results (7/24/22) / Syuri vs. Tam Nakano, More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  33. ^ Richards, Alex (July 23, 2022). "Yuu Makes Stardom Debut at Stardom in Showcase Volume 1". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  34. ^ Dark Angel (August 26, 2022). "Stardom: «Stardom x Stardom 2022 Nagoya Midsummer Encouter» 5 titles at stake". superluchas.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  35. ^ Reynolds, Alex (October 1, 2022). "Giulia Wins 5STAR Grand Prix 2022". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  36. ^ Fritts, Chick (April 23, 2023). "Stardom All Star Grand Queendom live results: Mercedes Mone vs. Mayu Iwatani Giulia faces Tam Nakano in the show's main event". f4wonline.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  37. ^ Thompson, Andrew (July 25, 2023). "Saya Kamitani suffers dislocated elbow & ligament damage, pulled from STARDOM's 5Star Grand Prix & Dream Tag Festival". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Edwards, Scott (November 28, 2023). "STARDOM at Korakuen Hall Results (11/28/23): One-Night Tournament, AphroditE Returns, More". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  39. ^ Edwards, Scott (December 3, 2023). "STARDOM Nagoya Big Winter 2023 Review (12/2/23)". Wrestle Purists. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  40. ^ Edwards, Scott (March 30, 2024). "STARDOM Results (3/30/24): Goddesses, Artist Belts Change Hands". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  41. ^ Barrasso, Justin (January 6, 2021). "Takeaways From New Japan Pro Wrestling's 'Wrestle Kingdom 15'". SI.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  42. ^ "2021.09.04 WRESTLE GRAND SLAM In MetLife Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  43. ^ "2021.09.05 WRESTLE GRAND SLAM In MetLife Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  44. ^ Caldwell, Brandon; Raimondi, Marc (August 3, 2023). "From MJF and Rhea to...a Viking? Here are the 30 best pro wrestlers under 30". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  45. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (October 27, 2022). "Syuri Tops 2022 PWI Women's 150 List". diva-dirt.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  46. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (November 21, 2020). "Nine Female Tag Teams land on PWI's Tag Team 50 list". Diva Dirt. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  47. ^ World Wonder Ring Stardom (October 2, 2022). 2022年10月1日 『LEC ふわるんマスク Presents 5★STAR GP 2022～優勝決定戦～』. wwr-stardom.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  48. ^ 『スターダムアワード2020』の受賞者発表！. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  49. ^ Pollock, John (January 3, 2022). "STARDOM 2021 award winners". postwrestling.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  50. ^ Thompson, Andrew (January 22, 2023). "STARDOM announces 2022 award winners". POST Wrestling. Retrieved March 11, 2023.

External links edit

 
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