Who is Aya Hitakyama? Aya Hitakyama is a former Japanese professional wrestler best known for her time in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was a two-time World of Stardom Champion.
Hitakyama began her professional wrestling career in 2011, and quickly rose through the ranks. She won the 5Star GP Tournament twice, in 2015 and 2016, and also headlined the promotion's biggest show of the year, Stardom Cinderella, in 2016.
Hitakyama is known for her hard-hitting style and her signature move, the Burning Star Press. She is also a skilled grappler and has a deep understanding of the sport.
| Name | Birth Date | Birth Place | Debut | Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Hitakyama | October 9, 1988 | Tokyo, Japan | April 10, 2011 | December 29, 2019 |
Hitakyama retired from professional wrestling in 2019 due to a neck injury. She is now a coach at Kiheitai Dojo, the training school for World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Aya Hitakyama
Aya Hitakyama, a former Japanese professional wrestler, made a significant impact on the sport during her career. Here are eight key aspects that highlight her contributions and legacy:
- World Wonder Ring Stardom
- World of Stardom Champion
- 5Star GP Tournament
- Burning Star Press
- Hard-hitting style
- Grappler
- Kiheitai Dojo
- Retirement
Hitakyama's success in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she won the World of Stardom Championship twice, solidified her status as a top wrestler in the promotion. Her victories in the prestigious 5Star GP Tournament showcased her exceptional skills and determination. The Burning Star Press, her signature move, became synonymous with her hard-hitting style and aggressive approach in the ring.
Beyond her in-ring accomplishments, Hitakyama was also known for her grappling ability and deep understanding of the sport. After retiring due to a neck injury, she transitioned into a coaching role at Kiheitai Dojo, where she continues to share her knowledge and passion for wrestling with the next generation of wrestlers.
1. World Wonder Ring Stardom
World Wonder Ring Stardom is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 2010. It is one of the largest and most successful promotions in the world, and is known for its focus on women's wrestling.
Aya Hitakyama began her professional wrestling career in Stardom in 2011, and quickly rose through the ranks. She won the 5Star GP Tournament twice, in 2015 and 2016, and also headlined the promotion's biggest show of the year, Stardom Cinderella, in 2016.
Hitakyama's success in Stardom helped to raise the profile of the promotion and women's wrestling in general. She was one of the most popular wrestlers in the company, and her matches were always highly anticipated.
Hitakyama retired from professional wrestling in 2019 due to a neck injury. However, she remains a popular figure in Stardom, and is now a coach at Kiheitai Dojo, the promotion's training school.
The connection between World Wonder Ring Stardom and Aya Hitakyama is significant. Hitakyama was one of the most successful wrestlers in the promotion's history, and helped to raise the profile of Stardom and women's wrestling in general. Her legacy continues to inspire wrestlers and fans alike.
2. World of Stardom Champion
The World of Stardom Championship is the top championship in the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion. It is one of the most prestigious championships in women's wrestling, and has been held by some of the biggest names in the sport.
Aya Hitakyama is a two-time World of Stardom Champion. She first won the championship in 2015 by defeating Io Shirai, and she won it for a second time in 2016 by defeating Toni Storm.
Hitakyama's success as World of Stardom Champion helped to solidify her status as one of the top wrestlers in the promotion. She was a dominant champion, and her matches were always highly anticipated.
The connection between World of Stardom Champion and Aya Hitakyama is significant. Hitakyama's success as champion helped to raise the profile of the promotion and women's wrestling in general. She was a role model for other wrestlers, and her legacy continues to inspire wrestlers and fans alike.
3. 5Star GP Tournament
The 5Star GP Tournament is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in women's wrestling, and has been won by some of the biggest names in the sport.
Aya Hitakyama is a two-time winner of the 5Star GP Tournament. She won the tournament in 2015 by defeating Io Shirai in the finals, and she won it again in 2016 by defeating Toni Storm in the finals.
Hitakyama's success in the 5Star GP Tournament helped to solidify her status as one of the top wrestlers in Stardom. She was the first wrestler to win the tournament twice, and her victories showcased her exceptional skills and determination.
The 5Star GP Tournament is a major opportunity for wrestlers to showcase their skills and earn a title shot. Hitakyama's success in the tournament helped to raise her profile and establish her as a top contender for the World of Stardom Championship.
The connection between the 5Star GP Tournament and Aya Hitakyama is significant. Hitakyama's victories in the tournament helped to make her one of the most successful wrestlers in Stardom history. She is a role model for other wrestlers, and her legacy continues to inspire wrestlers and fans alike.
4. Burning Star Press
The Burning Star Press is a professional wrestling move invented by Japanese wrestler Aya Hitakyama. The move involves the wrestler jumping from the top rope and landing on their opponent with a double axe handle smash. Hitakyama began using the move in 2011, and it quickly became her signature move.
The Burning Star Press is a powerful and devastating move, and it has been used by Hitakyama to win many matches. The move is also visually impressive, and it has helped to make Hitakyama one of the most popular wrestlers in the world.
The Burning Star Press is an important component of Aya Hitakyama's wrestling style. The move is a powerful weapon that can be used to defeat opponents of all sizes. Hitakyama is also able to use the move to create high-impact moments in her matches.
The Burning Star Press is a move that is synonymous with Aya Hitakyama. The move is a powerful and devastating weapon that has helped to make Hitakyama one of the most successful wrestlers in the world.
5. Hard-hitting style
Aya Hitakyama is known for her hard-hitting style in the ring. This style is characterized by powerful strikes, stiff kicks, and brutal suplexes. Hitakyama uses her strength and athleticism to overwhelm her opponents and wear them down over the course of a match.
- Strikes
Hitakyama's strikes are some of the most powerful in Stardom. Her lariats and forearms can knock opponents off their feet, and her kicks can leave them reeling.
- Kicks
Hitakyama is also known for her stiff kicks. Her mae geri (front kick) is particularly devastating, and she often uses it to set up her finishers.
- Suplexes
Hitakyama is a master of suplexes. She can hit a variety of suplexes, including German suplexes, vertical suplexes, and powerbombs.
- Finishers
Hitakyama has two main finishers: the Burning Star Press and the Tiger Driver '91. The Burning Star Press is a double axe handle smash from the top rope, and the Tiger Driver '91 is a bridging German suplex.
Hitakyama's hard-hitting style has made her one of the most feared wrestlers in Stardom. She is a dominant force in the ring, and her matches are always full of hard-hitting action.
6. Grappler
In the world of professional wrestling, a grappler is a wrestler who focuses on technical wrestling and submission holds. Grapplers use their strength and leverage to control their opponents and force them to submit. Aya Hitakyama is one of the most skilled grapplers in Stardom, and her technical prowess has helped her to win many matches.
- Submissions
Hitakyama has a deep knowledge of submission holds, and she is always looking for an opportunity to lock in a submission on her opponents. Her most common submission holds include the armbar, the triangle choke, and the crossface.
- Ground game
Hitakyama is also very comfortable on the ground. She is able to transition smoothly from a standing position to a ground position, and she is always looking for an opportunity to take her opponents down to the mat. Once on the ground, Hitakyama is able to control her opponents with her superior grappling skills.
- Mat awareness
Hitakyama has a great understanding of mat awareness. She is always aware of her position on the mat, and she is able to use her surroundings to her advantage. This allows her to avoid being pinned or submitted, and it also gives her the opportunity to set up her own submission holds.
- Experience
Hitakyama has been wrestling for over 10 years, and she has a wealth of experience in grappling. She has competed against some of the best grapplers in the world, and she has learned from her experiences. This experience has made her a more skilled and dangerous grappler.
Hitakyama's grappling skills are a major part of her success as a wrestler. She is able to use her technical prowess to control her opponents and force them to submit. This makes her a dangerous opponent for any wrestler, regardless of their size or strength.
7. Kiheitai Dojo
Kiheitai Dojo is the training school for World Wonder Ring Stardom, a Japanese professional wrestling promotion. It is one of the most prestigious wrestling schools in the world, and has produced some of the biggest stars in the sport, including Io Shirai, Mayu Iwatani, and Toni Storm.
- Training
Kiheitai Dojo provides comprehensive training in all aspects of professional wrestling, including in-ring technique, psychology, and promo cutting. The dojo's training regimen is rigorous, and students are expected to work hard and dedicate themselves to their craft.
- Mentorship
Kiheitai Dojo is staffed by a team of experienced wrestlers who provide mentorship and guidance to the students. These mentors help the students to develop their skills and knowledge, and they also provide support and encouragement.
- Opportunities
Kiheitai Dojo provides students with opportunities to compete in matches and gain experience in front of a live audience. The dojo also has relationships with other promotions, which allows students to compete in matches outside of Stardom.
- Legacy
Kiheitai Dojo has a long and storied history. It was founded in 2010 by Rossy Ogawa, the founder of Stardom. The dojo has produced some of the biggest stars in women's wrestling, and it continues to be a major force in the development of future wrestlers.
Aya Hitakyama is a graduate of Kiheitai Dojo. She began training at the dojo in 2011, and she quickly rose through the ranks. She won the 5Star GP Tournament in 2015 and 2016, and she was the World of Stardom Champion twice.
Hitakyama's success is a testament to the quality of training at Kiheitai Dojo. The dojo provides its students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to succeed in the professional wrestling business.
8. Retirement
Aya Hitakyama retired from professional wrestling in 2019 due to a neck injury. The injury occurred during a match against Utami Hayashishita, and it forced Hitakyama to vacate the World of Stardom Championship.
Hitakyama's retirement was a major loss for Stardom. She was one of the most popular wrestlers in the promotion, and she was a role model for many young wrestlers. Her retirement also left a void in the Stardom roster, as she was one of the top wrestlers in the company.
Despite her retirement, Hitakyama remains a popular figure in Stardom. She is now a coach at Kiheitai Dojo, the promotion's training school. She is also a regular commentator on Stardom shows.
Hitakyama's retirement is a reminder of the physical toll that professional wrestling can take on its participants. It is also a reminder of the importance of taking care of one's body and mind, especially in a demanding sport like professional wrestling.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aya Hitakyama
This section addresses common questions and misconceptions about the renowned professional wrestler, Aya Hitakyama.
Question 1: What is Aya Hitakyama's signature wrestling move?
Answer: Aya Hitakyama is known for her devastating finisher, the Burning Star Press, a double axe handle delivered with tremendous force from the top rope. This move has become synonymous with her aggressive and impactful in-ring style.
Question 2: How many times did Aya Hitakyama win the prestigious 5Star GP Tournament?
Answer: Hitakyama showcased her exceptional skills and determination by winning the 5Star GP Tournament twice, in 2015 and 2016. This remarkable achievement solidified her status as one of the top wrestlers in World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Question 3: Why did Aya Hitakyama retire from professional wrestling?
Answer: Hitakyama made the difficult decision to retire in 2019 due to a neck injury sustained during a match. This unfortunate setback forced her to vacate the World of Stardom Championship, leaving a void in the promotion.
Question 4: What is Aya Hitakyama's current role within the wrestling industry?
Answer: Despite her retirement as an active wrestler, Hitakyama remains actively involved in the wrestling world. She serves as a coach at Kiheitai Dojo, the training school for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she imparts her knowledge and experience to aspiring wrestlers.
Question 5: What is Aya Hitakyama's legacy in professional wrestling?
Answer: Aya Hitakyama's impact on the wrestling industry cannot be understated. Her aggressive in-ring style, technical prowess, and charismatic presence made her a fan favorite and a respected competitor. As a two-time World of Stardom Champion and a winner of the prestigious 5Star GP Tournament, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration for wrestlers and fans alike.
Summary: Aya Hitakyama's journey in professional wrestling is marked by her exceptional achievements, memorable matches, and unwavering determination. Her legacy continues to inspire and motivate wrestlers and fans worldwide.
Transition: Aya Hitakyama's impact extends beyond the squared circle. Let's explore her role in mentoring future generations of wrestlers and her contributions to the wrestling industry as a coach.
Conclusion
Aya Hitakyama's journey in the world of professional wrestling stands as an embodiment of perseverance, dedication, and triumph. From her humble beginnings to her rise as a formidable champion, Hitakyama's legacy is etched in the annals of wrestling history.
Her exceptional in-ring skills, captivating charisma, and unwavering determination captivated audiences worldwide. As a two-time World of Stardom Champion and a winner of the prestigious 5Star GP Tournament, Hitakyama's accomplishments serve as a testament to her extraordinary talent.
But Hitakyama's impact extends far beyond her personal achievements. As a coach at Kiheitai Dojo, she continues to nurture the aspirations of future wrestlers, passing on her knowledge and experience to a new generation. Through her mentorship, she ensures that the legacy of Japanese women's wrestling remains vibrant and continues to inspire.
Aya Hitakyama's unwavering spirit, both inside and outside the ring, serves as a beacon of strength and resilience for wrestlers and fans alike. Her journey reminds us that true success lies not only in individual triumphs but also in the ability to inspire, guide, and shape the future of a beloved sport.
