Tetsuya Naito has been named Tokyo Sports’ MVP award for 2023, and the former world champion commented on the news.
2023 marks the fourth time Naito has won the MVP award and the first year he has received the honor since 2020. In a post on their website, NJPW shared Naito’s comments about the award.
“Thank you for choosing me as MVP,” Tetsuya Naito said. “Looking back on this year, I wrestled Kenoh in a singles match, Shota Umino in a singles match, then Keiji Muto’s retirement match. I thought it was a good start to my year, but I lost in the New Japan Cup quarterfinals to SANADA, and then I wasn’t able to make things click for a while. But heading to Mexico in July put me in a better place to win the G1 Climax.
“In September in Kobe, I defeated Jeff Cobb and got revenge for my G1 loss. Now I’m heading to ward the main event January 4. Yes, I won the G1, but I’m not sure I was able to really stand out as much as I’d like this year. I never had a title match, and with that in mind, I had thought Hiromu Takahashi would take the prize. I bet Hirmu is pretty disappointed right now. But I’m sure he’ll keep going more and more to increase his standing.”
Tetsuya Naito: I’m Always Happy To Win MVP
Tetsuya Naito also stated that, given he did not have a title match in 2023, his award win was even more remarkable. He then noted that plenty of people will probably be unhappy about his victory.
“Obviously, I’m always happy to win MVP, Naito said. “But this time in particular- in one year to not have a title match and still win MVP says an awful lot. That has to be impressive, right? I think there will be a lot of people who are pissed, Hiromu included, being in the title hunt more but not winning MVP status. I expect Hiromu will show that frustration, as he should. As any good student of mine would.”
Naito will look to start 2024 with a major victory. He will challenge SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4.
