Saya Kamitani

Saya Kamitani (上谷沙弥, Kamitani Saya, ring name:上谷沙弥) (born November 28, 1996)^[1] is a Japanese professional wrestler and former idol, currently signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion.^[1] She is the current Wonder of Stardom Champion in her first reign. Kamitani is also a former one-time Goddess of Stardom Champion, which she held with Utami Hayashishita.^[3]

Saya Kamitani
Kamitani in 2021
Birth name	Saya Kamitani (上谷 沙弥, Kamitani Saya)
Born	(1996-11-28) November 28, 1996 (age 26)^[1] Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan^[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Saya Kamitani^[1]
Billed height	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)^[1]
Billed weight	58 kg (128 lb)^[1]
Trained by	World Wonder Ring Stardom^[2]
Debut	August 10, 2019^[1]

Early life

Kamitani had a couple of dancing roles in 2014 as a support dancer.^[2] 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.^[2]

Professional wrestling career

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2018–present)

 

Kamitani in October 2019.

With her Idol background, Kamitani debuted in World Wonder Ring Stardom in a non-wrestling role as part of the "Stardom Idols", a dancing and singing group.^[2] While the Stardom Idols short-lived, Kamitani passed Stardom's pro-test with Mana Hoshino on July 10, 2019.^[2] Kamitani debuted on August 10 at Korakuen Hall where she unsuccessfully challenged Momo Watanabe.^[2] On August 18, Kamitani gained her first victory when she teamed with Rina to defeat Queen's Quest (Hina and Leo Onozaki).^[4] On November 4, in the official match of the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League match held at the Korakuen Hall tournament, Kamitani and Saya Iida defeated Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi and Kagetsu), after performing a running "Shooting Star Press" on Miyagi to win for her team.^[2][5] On December 8, Kamitani won the Rookie of Stardom Tournament at Shinkiba 1st Ring Tournament on December 8th, where she defeated Iida in the finals.^[6]

On February 16, 2020, after Kamitani lost to Utami Hayashishita she joined Queen's Quest.^[2] On July 17, Kamitani competed in a three-way match which also involved Iida and Maika for the Future of Stardom Championship, but was unsuccessful.^[7] At Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2020 on April 29, Kamitani fell short to Natsuko Tora in the first rounds.^[8] On July 26, at the Korakuen Hall competition, Hayashishita and Kamitani won the vacant Goddess of Stardom Championship after defeating the Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona and Konami).^[3] At Stardom Yokohama Cinderella 2020 on October 3, Hayashishita and Kamitani had their first successful title defense when they defeated Donna Del Mondo's Himeka and Maika.^[9] At Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020 on December 20, 2020, Kamitani unsuccessfully challenged Saya Iida and Maika for the Future of Stardom Championship.^[10] On December 27, Hayashishita and Kamitani lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to Bea Priestley and Konami, ending their reign at 153 days.^[11]

At Stardom 10th Anniversary Show on January 17, 2021, Kamitani teamed up with Momo Watanabe to defeat Himeka and Syuri, Bea Priestley and Saki Kashima, and Mayu Iwatani and Ruaka in a four-way elimination tag team match.^[12] On March 3, at All Star Dream Cinderella, Kamitani received her first match for the World of Stardom Championship where she challenged the champion and her ally Hayashishita for the title, but was unsuccessful.^[13] On June 12, Kamitani won the 2021 Cinderella Tournament after defeating Maika in the finals.^[14] At Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer on July 4, 2021, she unsuccessfully challenged Tam Nakano for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.^[15] At the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2021 which took place from July 31 to September 25, Kamitani competed in the "Blue Stars" block where she scored a total of 11 points after going against Syuri, Takumi Iroha, Konami, Utami Hayashishita, Tam Nakano, Maika, Unagi Sayaka and Ruaka.^[16] At Stardom 10th Anniversary Grand Final Osaka Dream Cinderella on October 9, 2021, she teamed up with Momo Watanabe and AZM to unsuccessfully challenge Maika, Himeka and Natsupoi for the Artist of Stardom Championship.^[17] At the 2021 edition of the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, Kamitani teamed up with Utami Hayashishita as the Queen's Quest's sub-team of "AphrOditE" where they competed in the "Red Goddess" block, scoring a total of seven points after going against FWC (Hazuki and Koguma), HimePoi '21 (Himeka and Natsupoi), Cosmic Angels (Unagi Sayaka and Mai Sakurai), I love HigashiSpo! (Saki Kashima and Fukigen Death) and Water & Oil (Hanan and Rina).^[18] At Kawasaki Super Wars, the first event of the Stardom Super Wars trilogy which took place on November 3, 2021, Kamitani fell short to Mina Shirakawa and Maika in a three-way match.^[19] At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, she defeated Natsupoi and Himeka in a three-way match to become the bumber one contender for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.^[20] At Osaka Super Warsm the last event of the trilogy from December 18, she teamed up with AZM, Utami Hayashishita and Momo Watanabe (the leader of Queen's Quest by the time) to fight Oedo Tai's Starlight Kid, Saki Kashima, Konami and Ruaka in an eight-woman elimination tag team match. While down to Kid versus Watanabe, the latter betrayed the stable and attacked AZM with a steel chair to get herself disqualified in a shocking manner to join the enemy team. The former Queen's Quest leader declared that she would be Oedo Tai's black peach.^[21] At Stardom Dream Queendom on December 29, 2021, Kamitani defeated Tam Nakano to win the Wonder of Stardom Championship.^[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] At Stardom New Blood 1 on March 11, 2022, Kamitani teamed up with Lady C and went into a time-limit draw against Mirai and Mai Sakurai.^[25] On the first night of the Stardom World Climax 2022 from March 26, she defended the title againt Utami Hayashishita, ^[26] and on the second night from March 27, again versus Tam Nakano.^[27] At Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2022, she only scored a draw against Maika in the second rounds of April 10.^[28] At Stardom Golden Week Fight Tour on May 5, 2022, she defended the Wonder of Stardom Championship successfully against Maika.^[29] At Stardom Flashing Champions on May 28, 2022, she defended it again against Mirai.^[30] At Stardom Fight in the Top on June 26, 2022, Kamitani teamed up with AZM and Utami Hayashishita and competed in a Six-woman tag team steel cage match where the fell short to Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Koguma and Hazuki).^[31] 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.^[32] At Mid Summer Champions in Nagoya, the last event from July 24, she defended the title against Saki.^[33] 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 he bout after unmasking from a "grim reaper costume".^[34] 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.^[35] 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 after going against Giulia, Mirai, Mayu Iwatani, Suzu Suzuki, Hazuki, Starlight Kid, Natsupoi, Momo Watanabe, Ami Sourei, Mina Shirakawa, Saya Iida and Hanan.^[36]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2021-present)

 

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.^[37] 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,^[38] and on September 5, where she teamed again with Watanabe, this time in a losing effort against Donna Del Mondo's Giulia and Syuri.^[39]

In other media

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

Championships and accomplishments

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 7 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2022^[40]
  • Ranked No. 20 of the top 50 tag teams in the PWI Tag Team 50 in 2020 with AZM, Momo Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita^[41]
• World Wonder Ring Stardom
  • Wonder of Stardom Championship (1 time, current)
  • Goddess of Stardom Championship (1 time) – with Utami Hayashishita^[3]
  • Cinderella Tournament (2021)^[14]
  • Rookie of Stardom (2019)^[1]
  • 5★Star GP Award (1 time)
    • 5★Star GP Best Match Award (2022) – vs. Suzu Suzuki^[42]
  • Stardom Year-End Award (2 times)
    • Best Tag Team Award (2020) with Utami Hayashishita^[43]
    • Best Technique Award (2021)

References

1. "上谷沙弥". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese).
2. Richards, Alex (October 6, 2020). "Star Gazing: Saya Kamitani". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
3. Richards, Alex (July 26, 2020). "#AndNEW: 3 New Champions At Stardom Cinderella Summer In Tokyo". Last Word on Pro Wrestling.
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. Richards, Alex (July 22, 2020). "Stardom Explode In Summer (July 17) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
8. Daly, Wayne (March 24, 2020). "STARDOM Results: Cinderella Tournament 2020 – Tokyo, Japan (3/24)". Retrieved April 29, 2022.
9. Ounpraseuth, Jason (October 3, 2020). "Stardom Yokohama Cinderella Results: Kairi Sane Backstage, Debuts, A Faction Disbands". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
10. JoshiCity (November 11, 202). "Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella on 12/20/20 Review". joshicity.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
11. Richards, Alex (December 26, 2020). "#AndNEW: Bea Priestley & Konami Win Goddesses Of Stardom Titles". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
12. Duffy, John (January 18, 2021). "Utami and Giulia successfully retain at STARDOM's 10th Anniversary show". diva-dirt.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
13. Richards, Alex (March 3, 2021). "Stardom All Star Dream Cinderella (March 3) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
14. Duffy, John (June 12, 2021). "Saya Kamitani crowned the winner of STARDOM's Cinderella Tournament 2021". Diva Dirt. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
15. Wyatt, Liam (July 5, 2021). "Full Results From Yokohama Dream Cinderella In Summer". itrwrestling.com. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
16. WrestlingwithDemons (September 25, 2021). "9/25 STARDOM "5-STAR GRAND PRIX 2021" FINALS RESULTS". pwinsider.com. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
17. McCrudden, Amber (October 9, 2021). "Returning Star challenges Utami Hayashishita for the World of Stardom Championship". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
18. 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.
19. Peterson, Kate (November 3, 2021). "STARDOM's Kawasaki Super Wars Report: Utami Hayashishita vs. Hazuki". postwrestling.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
20. Peterson, Karen (November 27, 2021). "Stardom Tokyo Super Wars Report: Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika, Nakano vs. Shirakawa". postwrestling.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
21. WrestlingwithDemons (December 18, 2021). "12/18 STARDOM OSAKA SUPER WARS PPV REPORT". pwinsider.com. Retrieved December 18, 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. Richards, Alex (March 11, 2022). "Miyu Amasaki Joins Queen's Quest". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
26. 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.
27. Edwards, Scott (March 28, 2022). "STARDOM WORLD CLIMAX ~ THE TOP ~ (MARCH 27) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
28. Daly, Wayne (April 10, 2022). "STARDOM Results: Cinderella Tournament 2022 Day 2 – Osaka, Japan (4/10)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
29. Peterson, Karen (May 5, 2022). "STARDOM Fukuoka Goddess Festival: Saya Kamitani vs. Maika, Goddesses of Stardom match". postwrestling.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
30. Richards, Alex (May 28, 2022). "Stardom Flashing Champions 2022 News Round-Up". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
31. Peterson, Karen (June 27, 2022). "Stardom Fight in the Top Report: Six-Woman Tag Cage Match, Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi". postwrestling.com. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
32. Edwards, Scott (July 9, 2022). "STARDOM MidSummer Champions Results (7/9/22) / Syuri vs. Momo Watanabe And More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
33. 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.
34. Richards, Alex (July 23, 2022). "Yuu Makes Stardom Debut at Stardom in Showcase Volume 1". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
35. Dark Angel (August 26, 2022). "Stardom: «Stardom x Stardom 2022 Nagoya Midsummer Encouter» 5 titles at stake". superluchas.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
36. Reynolds, Alex (October 1, 2022). "Giulia Wins 5STAR Grand Prix 2022". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
37. Barrasso, Justin (January 6, 2021). "Takeaways From New Japan Pro Wrestling's 'Wrestle Kingdom 15'". SI.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
38. "2021.09.04 WRESTLE GRAND SLAM In MetLife Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
39. "2021.09.05 WRESTLE GRAND SLAM In MetLife Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
40. Wilkinson, Nick (October 27, 2022). "Syuri Tops 2022 PWI Women's 150 List". diva-dirt.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
41. Wilkinson, Nick (November 21, 2020). "Nine Female Tag Teams land on PWI's Tag Team 50 list". Diva Dirt. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
42. 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.
43. 『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.