Episode 135 Uemuki Yuya (Upward Yuya)
August 18, 2026
Yuya Uemura. This spring, he lost in the finals of the NEW JAPAN CUP, and this summer, he lost again in the finals of the G1. Twice he reached out to within a hair's breadth of the pinnacle, but fell just short.
To be completely honest, I'm a little worried about him. A single 2nd place finish serves as "fuel." However, when it happens twice in a row, what was supposed to be fuel can quietly transform into a heavy burden. There might have been nights when Yuya asked himself, "Is there something I'm lacking...?"
And yet, I know professional wrestlers are a different breed. The loser's story doesn't end there; rather, that's where it truly begins. The bitterness of being the runner-up will remain deep inside Uemura for a long time. And that very bitterness is what will become the energy that fuels his growth.
Furthermore, this heartbreak isn't Uemura's alone—it creates a tight bond with the fans who cheered for him in the arenas, pushing him up to become a "man with a compelling story."
He is a man who tasted bitterness twice in a row, back-to-back spring and summer. Yet, he will surely keep his head held high, because he is the sun. That is the carefree, utterly honest, and straightforward nature of his.
"How on earth do you raise such a wonderful kid?" That's what I’d really love to ask Uemura’s parents!
Now then, as a retired wrestler, let me share one piece of good news (?) with him. As a matter of fact, the record for "Most G1 CLIMAX Runner-Up Finishes" is currently tied at 3 times each by three men: Keiji Muto, Shinsuke Nakamura, and me, Hiroshi Tanahashi. I hold the record for most runner-up finishes rather than actual victories. To be honest, I still haven't decided whether this is something to brag about or not (laughs).
The 【Runner-Up Club】 sounds like a miserable group just from its name, but if you look at the membership objectively: Keiji Muto, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Hiroshi Tanahashi, that's quite a legendary line-up!
Even though it's a club with ridiculously strict entry requirements, none of us can brag about being a member once you join. Yes, it's a truly mysterious club (laughs).
Uemura. You are a man who can convert bitterness into energy. To a man who never looks down and keeps running forward, the next opportunity will without a doubt come around. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does from here on out.