NJPW YOUNG LIONS AND THE EXCURSION PROCESS
Among New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest successes has been its Young Lions program, a talent development system with a track record that is second to none. This system is responsible for creating some of the international wrestling scene’s greatest stars. Seeing its process at work is truly something special as fans are with a young lion through many different milestones in their career development. In a way it’s a lot like a parent watching their child grow up. This is especially true with young lions who debut as early as nineteen years old.
One of the most important stages of training for a young lion is leaving for their learning excursion. This stage of their development can be likened to a high school student leaving for college. During this time young lions continue their training abroad and broaden their cultural horizons. This is a very unique time for them as this is when they leave the dojo and the people they have grown very close to since they first arrived there. While on excursion young lions get to truly experience life in another country and continue gaining experience as they train and compete in another promotion that NJPW has a close working relationship with. As this happens fans excitedly await their return which tends to happen a year or two later.
At this point in time, two of the biggest prospects from the current class of New Japan young lions are about to take this incredibly important step. After the conclusion of DESTRUCTION IN KOBE it was announced that Shota Umino and Ren Narita were now set to leave for their excursions. Narita is being sent to the US to complete his excursion, training under Katsuyori Shibata in the LA dojo while Umino is being sent to the UK where he will most likely be working with REVPRO. When the announcement was made, there was an instant outpouring of love and support for the boys from NJPW fans around the world. Their returns from excursion are sure to be among the most highly anticipated in a very long time.
Returning from excursion is the stage where fans get to see how a young lion has grown since first leaving the dojo. Upon their return young lions redebut with a new look and an in ring character all their own. This is a very proud moment for fans who have been with them from the beginning. The learning excursion stage is a great time of growth for young lions and is a vital part of their experience. It is one of many milestones still to come for these gifted young performers.
In literature leaving home is a major part of what is known as the hero’s journey. In life, it is a vital part of the human experience as we leave one stage of our life behind to begin a new one and truly discover who we are as adults. As each young lion prepares to take this step, fans will continue to proudly support them as they set off for the horizon and remain with them every step of the way.
Editor’s Note: Jasmine also included “The Young Lion’s Prayer,” a poem inspired by Narita & Umino’s voyage.
THE YOUNG LION’S PRAYER
As I prepare to step into this great unknown, my heart is full.
Tomorrow I leave my dojo, my country, and the people I love.
This road that I have chosen will now lead me to a new world.
Others have traveled this road before me.
Now I must do the same.
I ask for protection and guidance as I embark on this road.
May I face this journey without fear.
May I never forget the fighting spirit I was taught.
May it burn in my heart like a fire born of the sun.
And May I carry the people I love in my heart along the way.
Bless them as they await my return.
May they never forget the young boy they once knew
so they can happily embrace the man they will later see before them.
And bless all those who will travel this road after me.
Raise my spirits high so that I may one day touch the sky.
As I walk through the doors of the dojo to begin this new journey,
know that I will thank you for this opportunity
and the blessings placed before me.
Know that I will do my best and fight my hardest.
I will thank my senpai and all those who have been with me since I was still so young.
My hope is that they know how much I love and appreciate them.
I will leave promising to make them proud and never let them down.
I will trust in love and hold true to my faith.
The lessons I have learned here will remain with me,
And in my heart I will forever carry this, my young lion’s prayer.
