English Version
(日本語版はこちら)
Size does not always matter – that idea has been a vital part of the Lucha Libre inspired Japanese promotion DRAGONGATE since its inception. Many Japanese companies do not admit aspiring wrestlers who are too small in stature, owing to the idea that pro wrestlers are supposed to be larger than life figures. But DRAGONGATE hopefuls only need two things: Endurance and talent. This has resulted in the promotion becoming a hotspot for highly skilled small-statured competitors intent on making it big despite their circumstances. One of the most prominent examples in recent years has been Riita, a 156cm (5’1ft) tall wrestler with quick feet, a sharp tongue, and experience in multiple combat sports.
Originally debuting under the name Takumi Hayakawa, Riita found his first faction much sooner than most young wrestlers do. Only half a year into his career, he was picked out for DRAGONGATE veteran Naruki Doi’s host club themed unit Gold Class. Rather than a full-fledged recruit, however, he was meant to be a “present” for the rising star who would stand at the center of this new group, Kota Minoura. Since, according to Doi, all great wrestlers had a miniature version of them somewhere, Riita was to be Minoura’s personal mini, accordingly renamed to “Minorita”.
Riita immediately became a major asset to both Minoura and Gold Class at large, assisting in every match they had, whether he was on the card or not. Despite his efforts, however, Gold Class only had a couple of months in the spotlight before roster and contract changes cost the faction half of its original members. Forced to completely reinvent its identity, Gold Class floundered while the company’s other new factions rose to the top. Only through the addition of DRAGONGATE legend BxB Hulk and Reiwa Generation Leaders member Ben-K could the unit finally establish itself as a significant force within the promotion once again.
Throughout all of this, however, Minoura, who had originally been meant to be at the center of Gold Class, slipped further and further into the background compared to the other members and even his own mini. Enraged by this, he turned on Riita and Gold Class at Dangerous Gate 2024, joining heel faction Z-Brats instead. Devastated by this betrayal, Riita removed the traces of Minoura from his ringname and swore revenge. In a “Losing Unit Disbands” match between Gold Class, Z-Brats, and the meddling young faction Big Hug, both wrestlers are now hoping to bring their feud to a decisive end at the fittingly named Gate of Destiny on November 3rd.
Ahead of this major turning point in his career, Five Star Network’s Kay Quinn had the opportunity to interview Riita about his new identity, his feelings about Gold Class, and his history with Kota Minoura.
Here is what he had to say:
You have spent most of your career so far as Kota Minoura’s mini. Now that you have stopped being a mini, how has your identity as a wrestler changed?
I’ve started to want to find success as Riita the wrestler.
I wanted to stand out more precisely because of my past role as the discount version [of Minoura].
How have your goals changed?
My goal right now is to defeat Minoura, who betrayed me, but after that I hope I can make Riita the wrestler known throughout the world.
Minoura turned on you at Dangerous Gate 2024, right? How did you feel when that happened?
I was sad.
As Minorita, I had been his designated partner in crime for two years, so I felt sadness first and foremost when he so suddenly betrayed me. The anger came later.
What had your relationship with Minoura been like up until that point?
It really felt like we were in this together.
I had altered my gear and used a slightly changed version [of his theme song], but we were always acting alike, and I took us being in the same corner for granted.
Did you ever get the impression that the way he saw or treated you was changing leading up to that moment at Dangerous Gate?
He told me to not stand out and then he betrayed me, but I tried to stand out when we wrestled together because honestly, Minoura isn’t someone who stands out that much.
I think it turned out this way because I slowly became someone who was too much for him to handle. He was jealous of me.
Do you think he will achieve the popularity he seeks as a member of Z-Brats?
I think his already low popularity will decline even further after joining Z-Brats, so no.
How do you feel about Minoura now?
He’s his own downfall.
To me, it feels like he’s still lost in some way.
In the Z-Brats vs Gold Class Unit Membership match on October 4th, both Minoura and you failed to pin each other. Your stablemate BxB Hulk lost and had to leave instead. How do you feel about that outcome?
I had the momentum and I thought I could definitely win. So it’s frustrating.
I’m deeply upset that I wasn’t able to save Hulk and that I couldn’t defeat Gianni in the end.
What kind of stablemate was BxB Hulk to you?
It was thanks to Hulk’s presence as the only veteran among the otherwise young GOLD CLASS members that I felt at ease.
Hulk ultimately gave me advice whenever I stumbled in some way.
And I think it was also Hulk who was worried about me the most when I was out with injury.
What does being a member of Gold Class mean to you?
I spent most of my career in GOLD CLASS. It’s not something I can just leave behind.
I think you might as well say “Riita equals GOLD CLASS”, because it was GOLD CLASS that gave me a career.
You are the only current member of Gold Class that has been with the faction from the start. In your view, how has Gold Class’ identity changed from the time when it was founded?
In the beginning, the concept of the stable was to win over the female fans, but I think with Kaito Ishida leaving the company and Doi leaving the stable, at some point it changed into everyone wrestling however they liked. Around the time when Ben-K joined.
But I think that’s good because it suits us.
What would you describe as the core difference between Gold Class and Z-Brats?
I think we’re a stable that reliably brings dreams and inspiration [to the fans] whenever we are at the venues.
But that’s not the case for Z-Brats, is it?
That’s the difference.
You were kidnapped by Z-Brats leading up to Dangerous Gate. What was that time like for you?
I was under house arrest by Shun Skywalker.
I was limited in what I could do.
It was so bad that he wouldn’t even let me shave, but the whole time I tried to trick him by pretending to be friends with him.
During this period, a stream was held from your X account. The speaker claimed to be you, but was accused by Mochizuki Junior to just be Shun Skywalker doing an impression. At the very end, your voice could briefly be heard in seeming distress. What was happening at that time?
No matter how you look at it, that’s not my voice.
I was being gagged nearby.
At the time I was sure that all the [Gold Class] members would save me.
Why do you think that Z-Brats were so interested in you?
I wonder.
To borrow Minoura’s words, I guess they wanted me because I stand out?
Despite the Unit Membership match having concluded, it seems that your feud with Z-Brats and Kota Minoura is far from over. What is next for you and Gold Class?
I’m prepared for the “losing stable disbands” match on November 3rd in Osaka, and I will absolutely try to protect GOLD CLASS, while we’re still in danger of disbanding.
We’re just as strong [as Z-Brats] when it comes to our feelings as a stable. Making Z-Brats disband would be the ideal, but first we have to survive. After that I will crush Kota Minoura.
Our deepest gratitude to Riita (@Riiita_dg), for taking the time to answer our questions. We would also like to thank Ho Ho Lun (@hoholun719), for his help in arranging this interview.
All translation for this interview was handled by Joe (@thefeelite). We are grateful for his excellent work.