SANADA says he's proof that you can achieve your dream if you don't give up.
SANADA has been with NJPW for seven years, and he has enjoyed plenty of success; he is a former IWGP United States Champion and a three-time IWGP tag Team Champion. But he has reached another level in 2023; SANADA won the New Japan Cup, and at NJPW Sakura Genesis, he defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. In doing so, he became a world champion for the first time in his career.
Speaking with NJPW's website, SANADA commented on winning the title.
"I’m only at the start line now. I’ve been in NJPW for seven years, and I even took the tryout way back in 2005. It’s only now I’ve become IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. So I’m walking proof that if you don’t give up you can achieve your dreams," SANADA said.
When asked whether he ever thought about giving up, SANADA made it clear that the possibility never crossed his mind. He stated that he knew he'd get to where he wanted to go eventually. When asked about NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2023, where he will defend the gold against Hiromu Takahashi, the champion stated that the business and NJPW's place in it is his responsibility
"The business and NJPW’s place in it, it can be up and it can be down. Either way, it’s the champion that’s the representative, the champion that’s responsible. That’s why this title match is so important. To keep presenting gifts to everyone else, the gift I’ll present Hiromu with is the truth, and the knowledge of just how much this title means," SANADA said.
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