Hikuleo is ready to make a statement in the NJPW G1 Climax 33.
Hikuleo has had an inconsistent 2023 up to this point. He scored a major win when he defeated Jay White, and while he won the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, he quickly lost the title to KENTA at NJPW STRONG Resurgence. However, by competing in his first G1 Climax, Hikuleo will have the chance to gain some momentum.
Speaking with NJPW's website, Hikuleo was asked to describe what it means to him to compete in the G1 for the first time.
"A lot. I remember when Tama got that call to be in his first G1, I was there. I remember how excited he was, and then his work ethic toward the tournament itself. I didn’t truly understand it until I came to Japan myself and saw how guys would train so differently to the rest of the year. This is where you really prove yourself and show your stuff as a singles competitor," Hikuleo said.
Later in the interview, Hikuleo was asked to sum up his G1 for us in one phrase, and he responded with, "Say my name," as he is determined to make people say his name more than ever before following the completion of the tournament.
"Say my name’. My name hasn’t been brought up in any of this conversation around the new generation around here. People already know by name, but they’ll be saying it a lot more once this tournament is done," he said.
The G1 Climax 33 is set to begin on July 15, and it will conclude on August 13. NJPW previously announced the blocks for the tournament. More information is available here.
Fightful will have coverage of the G1 Climax 33 throughout the tournament.
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