Konosuke Takeshita Explains Why It Was Special To Wrestle Hirooki Goto In NJPW G1 Climax: “There Aren’t Many Wrestlers Still Active Who I Used To Watch As A Kid”

Takeshita does media ahead of his title match.

There is a new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and it is Konosuke Takeshita. He bested Zack Sabre Jr. in the main event of NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling to win the title.

Takeshita’s first title defense is taking place on November 2nd at Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Homecoming event. He’ll be defending against Hirooki Goto. Takeshita and Goto clashed once, during the 2024 G1 Climax tournament, which saw Goto emerge victorious.

NJPW1972.com rolled out a new interview with Takeshita, and he said it meant a lot to wrestle Goto in the G1 because Takeshita grew up watching him.

“There aren’t many wrestlers still active who I used to watch as a kid; in my block that year, Goto was the only one, and that made the match special to me. I entered first that night, so I was stood waiting for Goto and it really hit home in that moment that, hey, I’m wrestling in an NJPW ring.”

The subject switched over to some of the NJPW faithful, who view Takeshita as an outsider. He said he’s not going to change what he does to garner more cheers, adding that there are people who like him for who he is.

“Things are more interesting when there’s an antagonist. Wrestling today needs them. I think a mixed reaction has made me stronger, won me the G1, won me the belt. But I won’t change what I do to make people cheer me. The fans that support me like me because of what I do and being uncompromising.”

While in Japan in November, Takeshita also has multiple dates lined up for DDT Pro-Wrestling from November 3rd through the 9th of that month.