Tetsuya Naito is still going strong at the age of 41 having just won the annual NJPW G1 Climax tournament.
As a result of his G1 victory, Naito will headline Wrestle Kingdom 18, challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Despite his G1 victory and upcoming headlining bout, Naito knows that he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning.
"I said as much on the mic, but I hate the word ‘forever’. Time waits for no man, after all," Naito said in an interview with NJPW. "I heard that talk when I watched the match back on World. But to give the flip side to that comment, I was at Ryogoku as a fan when Chono [Masahiro Chono] won his last (in 2005), and backstage when Tanahashi [Hiroshi Tanahashi] won his last (2018). I think if you put Chono at 41 against Tanahashi at 41 and me at 41, I’m better than them, and I have more in the tank."
Naito continued, "Well, if you watch those other matches back, they’re a lot less mobile at that point than I am now, I reckon. I definitely feel I have a lot further to go yet. At the same time, I know my time is limited. I have knee troubles, eye troubles. The end of the line, that image of retirement that was so far away for so long is now coming into focus a little. But I think that’s just another reason to enjoy where I am as a wrestler and to live in the now, right now. I need to make the most of every moment. That’s not just in the ring, either. Being in the gym, it’s a big motivator for me to push harder, knowing I can’t afford to delay anything."
Naito is set to face Jeff Cobb at NJPW Destruction In Kobe on September 24.
Fans can check out the current lineup for the show by clicking here.
