[New Japan Pro-Wrestling] With the “junior festival” about to begin, we caught up with Fujita, who became the youngest-ever winner of the Best of the Super Jr. last year. He spoke openly about the state of the junior division, his opponents, and his hunger to repeat.
**On the pressure of a two-peat:**
Fujita dismissed any added weight. “No, not really. I hate wrestlers who act like ‘This is the Super Jr., so I have to step it up.’ Whether it’s being broadcast or not, whether it’s in a small town or a big arena, what I do doesn’t change. I just prepare as usual and wrestle my match.”
**On defending his title:**
“I feel zero pressure. Sure, I’m aware of the record, but that doesn’t create pressure. I have confidence, so I don’t think about it. Records matter, but I’ve also started to see something more important.”
**On the current state of the junior division:**
“This is tricky—I have to choose my words carefully. After I won the Super Jr. last year, I challenged El Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title and lost. Now DOUKI is champion and running wild, and Hiromu Takahashi has left. The junior championship is crucial for the company. When I think about the junior scene, my mindset is clear: I have to win the Super Jr. again this year. That’s all I can say for now.”
**On DOUKI’s boycott of the tournament:**
“DOUKI’s boycott didn’t surprise me given his past behavior. But by doing it, he’s tarnishing the ‘New Japan junior’ brand. Other junior wrestlers probably feel the same. The fact that the company allowed it—especially under president Tan
