Katsuya Kitamura Leaves NJPW
Katsuya Kitamura is out of New Japan.
The company made the announcement on their official website, stating that Kitamura left on Jan. 31. According to the Wrestling Observer, Kitamura was offered a new contract in 2019.
Kitamura last wrestled March 4, 2018, when he teamed with Manabu Nakanishi in a loss to CHAOS members Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano. He reportedly suffered an injury while training and has not competed since. He has spent the last year receiving medical treatment and rehabbing before deciding to leave the company.
Kitamura won the 2017 Young Lion Cup and had completed six of his seven Trial Series matches. He is a former amateur wrestler, winning the All Japan Wrestling Championship in 2006 and representing Japan in the World Championships later that same year. He won three national championships during his time as an amateur wrestler. He received a two-year ban from the sport in 2011 after testing positive for anabolic steroids.
He began training in the New Japan Dojo in 2015 before making his official debut on March 13, 2017. Tama Tonga recently teased bringing Kitamura into the Bullet Club before news of his departure.
