World of STARDOM and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani has cemented herself in the annals of Japanese wrestling history. In a truly historic first, the Phenex Queen has been named Tokyo Sports MVP – the first female wrestler to do so in its 52-year history.
Pressure to honor Japanese wrestling’s incredible women’s landscape has been growing in recent years. And following Kamitani’s stellar 2025, there have been murmurs that Tall Saya may end up towering above her Japanese compatriots come the end of the year.
Kamitani has earned her arrogance, dominating STARDOM and NJPW over the last few years. With the Tokyo Sports MVP announcement approaching, the 29-year-old has been making her case for the prestigious award during countless promos in recent months.
Many industry insiders predicted that either Kamitani, Pro Wrestling NOAH’s OZAWA, or IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and G1 Climax winner Konosuke Takeshita would take the coveted prize. And with the announcement, Kamitani has achieved a feat that has eluded Japanese women wrestlers for too long.
The previous winners list is a who’s who of Japanese wrestling prestige. The award covers multiple generations of wrestlers, with the likes of Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, as well as modern greats such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, and Tetsuya Naito, all winning the award multiple times.
Kamitani’s MVP Win Major boost for Struggling STARDOM
Reeling through Kamitani’s achievements in 2025, it’s no wonder that the former idol was well in the fight for Japanese wrestling’s biggest individual award. As well as holding onto the World of STARDOM Championship for the whole of 2025, the Phenex Queen infamously retired Tam Nakano in April in a career vs career match. During 2025, Kamitani has defended her world title seven times, defeating the likes of Momo Watanabe, Natsupoi, and Suzu Suzuki along the way.
In September, Saya earned double champion status when she defeated AZM to win the NJPW STRONG women’s title. As a result, Kamitani’s incredible run saw her place highly in the PWI Women’s Top 250, ranking third behind AEW’s Mercedes Moné and Toni Storm. Notably, she ranked higher than every WWE Superstar on the list.
The international and domestic recognition will no doubt please STARDOM, who have endured difficulties over the last two years. STARDOM has hemorrhaged key talent throughout 2024 and 2025, but Kamitani’s undoubted star power provides a jewel to build the company’s future fortunes around.
Kamitani spoke to Tokyo Sports following her historic victory:
“This is the best career and the best condition I’ve ever been in during my pro-wrestling life. Honestly, I don’t feel like I can lose to anyone. As long as Saya-sama is at the top of STARDOM, things are secure. For 52 years of the Pro-Wrestling Awards, the focus has always been on the men.
But the fact that Saya-sama won the MVP award has shattered all preconceived notions. From here on out, Saya-sama will elevate pro-wrestling to the mainstream and take it to places no one has even imagined.”
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