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MAY.29.2023

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Wato greets the world as BOSJ 30 winner

Master Wato’s post victory comments

May 29 saw Master Wato greet the media for the first time after his Best of the Super Jr. 30 victory against Titan in Ota, and his challenge to Hiromu Takahashi June 4 at Dominion. The blue haired youngster was clad in a tan suit and had a relaxed air as he took to the press conference microphone. 

‘This was a very demanding series, but I was able to come away with the Best of the Super Jr. 30 trophy. I feel like I’ve finally arrived. I think a part of me had wanted this to come sooner, but that extra bit of time has been a positive. It’s brought me strength, and a confidence that I didn’t have before. I want to bring that confidence and that courage to a good clean fight with Hiromu.’

–What are your thoughts on the current champion Hiromu Takahashi? 

Wato: He was the wrestler that inspired me to choose the junior heavyweight division to fight in. I’m not gunning for him because he has the title, it’s Hiromu that I want to beat, and I’ll be bringing all those emotions with me to the ring. 

–You’ve talked about opening new doors and starting a new generation for junior heavyweights. Do you feel as if you have done that, or is simply winning Best of the Super Jr. alone not enough?

Wato: I feel like I’ve made a big step toward that goal, but to really forge a path, I need the IWGP title. The work will really happen when I’m champion.

–You brought up being inspired to become a junior heavyweight, I think that would have been in May 2017 in Korakuen when you were in a tag match with Hiromu. If you compare the you of now to then, how would you reflect on the growth you’ve undergone?

Wato: I think that back then, I didn’t have the confidence I do now, and it was much more of a humble experience. This time, what I want to show Hiromu is the different man that this BOSJ winning Master Wato is. 

–This title match is in the same Osaka Jo Hall that you wrestled your first match as Master Wato…

Wato: It really is the best possible set of circumstances. Osaka is my home town, and here I get to return to my home town, as the Best of the Super Junior winner, and challenge the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. I really couldn’t ask for the stars to be aligned any better, so with that setup, I really want to pull off the win.

–You mentioned  wanting to show how you’ve changed. What would you say is the biggest change you’ve undergone?

Wato: I think the biggest is the confidence I have going into a match. The way I can approach each clean fight with a confidence as a wrestler is the biggest change for me. 

–What are your thoughts on Hiromu as a champion?

Wato: Well, he won three Best of the Super Juniors back to back, and he’s the current IWGP champion, so you can’t deny his strength and his toughness. But I feel confident that I can surpass him, and I’m coming into this match believing that I will win. 

 

–What has the reception been like to your win?

Wato: I’ve had so many messages from friends and from my peers. I really couldn’t sleep last night, but I didn’t get round to any replies all the same so that, and catchng up to everybody’s social media comments is on the agenda for me after this!

 

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