In 2014, Kamitani also worked as a support dancer for boy bandEXILE.[1][6]
In September 2014, Kamitani was selected to join "Baito AKB", a collaboration project between job search platform Baitoru and idol groupAKB48.[7] where she also experienced being a backing dancer forTeam A's theater performances and participated in rehearsals for theKohaku Uta Gassen.[8] The group disbanded in February 2015.[8]
After Baito AKB disbanded, Kamitani failed many auditions to join idol groups, including the final round of theNGT48 audition.[8] Her parents submitted an application to anOhta Production acting workshop audition without her knowledge[6] in which she passed.[9] While at Ohta Production, Kamitani passed the audition for a project that combined idols and professional wrestling,[10] where she was scouted byTam Nakano and subsequently became part of "Stardom Idols".[3]
She announced her departure from Ohta Production in 2021.[11]
Kamitani debuted inWorld Wonder Ring Stardom originally in a non-wrestling role as part of the Stardom Idols, a dancing and singing group.[4] On February 11, 2019 at a Stardom Idols event, she participated in a 3 vs 1handicap match against Miss Mongol, losing in 49 seconds.[4][12] While the Stardom Idols were short-lived, Kamitani passed Stardom's pro-test on July 10, 2019.[4][13]
Kamitani and Hayashishita competed together in the2020 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League asAphrOditE, which they would continue to use as their tag team name afterwards.[21] AtOsaka Dream Cinderella 2020 on December 20, Kamitani unsuccessfully challenged for the Future of Stardom Championship in a three-way match against Maika and Saya Iida.[22] On December 26, AphrOditE lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship toOedo Tai (Bea Priestley and Konami), ending their reign at 153 days.[23]
Kamitani competed in the Blue Stars block of the2021 5 Star Grand Prix which took place from July 31 to September 25. At the opening press conference on July 17, Kamitani accidentally revealedTakumi Iroha as the mystery opponent in her block, and then apologized for the mistake.[27] She scored a total of 11 points, which was not enough to advance to the finals.[28]
AtStardom Fight in the Top on June 26, 2022, Kamitani teamed up with AZM and Utami Hayashishita and competed in one of Stardom's firststeel cage matches, where they fell short to Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Koguma and Hazuki).[40]
AtMid Summer Champions in Tokyo, the first event of theStardom Mid Summer Champions series which took place on July 9, 2022, Kamitani defended the "white belt" once again againstStarlight Kid.[41] AtMid Summer Champions in Nagoya, the last event from July 24, she defended the title againstSaki.[42] AtStardom in Showcase vol.1 on July 23, 2022, Kamitani competed in athree-way casket match against Starlight Kid andYuu who won the bout after unmasking from a "grim reaper costume".[43]
At theTriangle Derby I, Kamitani teamed up with stablemates Utami Hayashishita and AZM, scoring a total of nine points in the A block which was not enough to qualify to the finals.[51] In the finals night, she successfully defended theWonder of Stardom Championship againstHazuki.[52] AtStardom Supreme Fight 2023 on February 4, Kamitani scored another successful defense of the title, this time against Momo Watanabe.[53] AtStardom in Showcase vol.4 on February 26, 2023, she teamed up with Utami Hayashishita andMiyu Amasaki and unsuccessfully competed in a three-way tag team match won by Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki and Koguma) and also involving Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Starlight Kid and Momo Watanabe).[54] At the2023 Cinderella Tournament, Kamitani drew against Mayu Iwatani in the first rounds.[55]
On April 23, 2023, atAll Star Grand Queendom, Kamitani lost the Wonder of Stardom Championship to Mina Shirakawa, ending her reign at 480 days and a record setting 15 successful title defenses.[56]
AtStardom Fukuoka Goddess Legend on May 5, 2023, she teamed up with Utami Hayashishita in a losing effort against Donna Del Mondo (Giulia and Maika).[57] AtStardom Flashing Champions 2023 on May 28, se teamed up with Hayashishita andHina to defeat YoungOED (Starlight Kid, Ruaka andRina).[58] AtStardom Sunshine 2023 on June 25, Kamitani teamed up with all the rest of Queen's Quest stablemates Utami Hayashishita, AZM, Miyu Amasaki, Lady C and Hina to defeat Oedo Tai's Natsuko Tora, Momo Watanabe, Saki Kashima, Starlight Kid, Ruaka and Rina in aLoser leaves unit steel cage match.[59] AtStardom Mid Summer Champions 2023 on July 2, she teamed up with Hayashishita, AZM and Lady C to defeat Stars (Koguma, Mayu Iwatani, Momo Kohgo and Hanan).[60]
Kamitani competed in the2023 5 Star Grand Prix, but withdrew from the tournament after she suffered a legitimate dislocated elbow during her first match of the tournament against Tam Nakano on July 23.[61] Kamitani made her return on November 28 alongside her AphrOditE teammate, Utami Hayashishita, who had also been out due to an injury.[62]
AtNagoya Big Winter on December 2, AphrOditE won the vacant Goddesses of Stardom Championship by defeating Divine Kingdom (Maika andMegan Bayne).[63] AtStardom Dream Queendom 2023 on December 29, Kamitani and Hayashishita successfully defended the tag titles againstXL (Natsuko Tora and Momo Watanabe).[64]
AtStardom The Conversion on June 22, 2024, Kamitani teamed up with the rest of Queen's Quest's AZM, Lady C, Hina and Miyu Amasaki and fell short to Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Thekla, Rina, Momo Watanabe and Ruaka) in aTen-woman elimination tag team match. Per the stipulation, since Kamitani was the last wrestler eliminated, AZM, Hina, Lady C, and Amasaki all had to leave Queen's Quest. Thus, she remained the only member of the unit for a time.[72]
On July 28, 2024, the second night ofSapporo World Rendezvous, Kamitani lost the High Speed Championship to Mei Seira.[73]
On the same night at Sapporo World Rendezvous, during the World of Stardom Championship match between champion Maika and challenger Natsuko Tora, Kamitani turnedheel when she interfered with the referee, giving Tora momentum to pick up the victory and the World of Stardom Championship. Kamitani declared Queen's Quest's dissolution, joining forces with Tora and the rest of the time's Oedo Tai members. Tora then declared the dissolution of Oedo Tai and the birth of the newly created unit ofH.A.T.E.[73]
On December 29 atStardom Dream Queendom, Kamitani defeated Tam Nakano to win the World of Stardom Championship for the first time.[78]
On February 2, 2025 atSupreme Fight, Kamitani successfully defended the World of Stardom Championship for the first time by defeating Suzu Suzuki.[79]
Kamitani makes her entrance wearing herPhenex Queen attire.
AtStardom Path of Thunder, Kamitani teamed with Tora in a losing effort to Nakano andSayaka Kurara. Per the stipulation, Kamitani was forced to grant any request Nakano wanted, with the latter challenging Kamitani to aLoser Leaves Stardom match at Korakuen Hall on March 3.[80] At the event, Kamitani defeated Nakano, but would offer one last opportunity at the World of Stardom Championship in aCareer vs. Career match.[81] AtAll Star Grand Queendom, Kamitani defeated Nakano, retaining her title and forcing Nakano to retire from professional wrestling.[82]
As a result of defeating Nakano, Kurara challenged Kamitani by redeeming the wish granted to her by winning the2025 Cinderella Tournament.[83] On May 11, at Korakuen Hall, Kamitani defeated Kurara to retain the World of Stardom Championship.[84] Then atSapporo World Rendezvous, Kamitani retained the World of Stardom Championship by defeating Natsupoi.[85]
Kamitani entered the2025 5 Star Grand Prix, finishing top of the Red Stars A block after losing only to Bea Priestley in the league stage. She was eliminated from the tournament after a loss to AZM in the quarterfinals.[86] Following the match, Priestley, using her league victory as leverage, challenged her to a title match atStardom to the World.[86] At the event, Kamitani defeated Priestley to retain the World of Stardom title.[87][88] AZM then challenged Kamitani for both the World of Stardom championship and her ownStrong Women's Championship at Korakuen Hall.[87][88]
On August 27, in an interview withDaily Sports, Stardom's president Taro Okada credited Kamitani for playing a pivotal role as Stardom's attendance increased.[89] On September 26, Kamitani defeated Hanan in an exhibition match on the morning variety showLove It! [ja] broadcast onTBS Television, as part of her final appearance as a season cast member. This was the first time a live women's professional wrestling match had been broadcast on Japaneseterrestrial television in 23 years.[90][91]
The following day at Korakuen Hall, Kamitani defeated AZM to win the Strong Women's Championship title and retain the World of Stardom Championship. Shortly after the match, H.A.T.E. stablemate and winner of the 2025 5 Star Grand Prix Momo Watanabe entered the ring to challenge Kamitani for both titles.[92] AtCrimson Nightmare on November 3, Kamitani defeated Watanabe to retain both titles.[93]
Following her victory over Watanabe, Kamitani received dual title challenges from Syuri for the New Japan Pro Wrestling Strong Women's Championship and Saori Anou for the World of Stardom Championship.[93] In December, Kamitani won theTokyo Sports Pro Wrestling MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, becoming the first woman to receive the honor since its inception.[94] In the build-up to the defense at Dream Queendom 2025, Anou attacked Kamitani at a press conference after exchanging heated words.[95] Kamitani retaliated by attacking Anou during a Tokyo Sports interview in Anou's own car, after which Anou accused Tokyo Sports of serving as Kamitani's accomplice and refused further interviews with the outlet.[96] AtDream Queendom 2025, Kamitani defeated Anou to retain her World of Stardom Championship.[97] Following the match, Starlight Kid entered the ring and challenged for the World of Stardom Championship, declaring she would end the era of Kamitani.[98]
Kamitani has competed in exhibition matches organized by NJPW in partnership with Stardom. On January 5, 2021, at the second night ofNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)'sWrestle Kingdom 15, she made her first NJPW appearance where she, alongsideAZM and Utami Hayashishita, defeated Himeka, Maika and Natsupoi in adark match.[99]
AtWrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome, Kamitani competed in both nights, first on September 4, 2021, where she teamed up with Momo Watanabe to defeatLady C and Maika,[100] and on September 5, where she teamed again with Watanabe, this time in a losing effort againstDonna Del Mondo'sGiulia and Syuri.[101]
On January 5th, 2022, the second night ofWrestle Kingdom 16, Kamitani teamed with Tam Nakano to defeat Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Kid.[102]
Kamitani competed in the 2024 edition of theCatch the Wave tournament,Pro Wrestling Wave's greatest annual competition, similar to Stardom's 5Star Grand Prix. She topped the A Block with four points after competing againstRisa Sera,Yuko Sakurai andNanami. She then won a tie-breaker match against Sera who also finished the block with four points. Kamitani defeatedItsuki Aoki in the semifinals andKohaku in the finals to win the entire competition.[106]
On November 4, 2024 at Prime Wave 2024, Kamitani defeatedYuki Miyazaki to win theRegina di Wave title for the first time.[107] At Wave Nami 1 on January 1, 2025, Kamitani defeatedKohaku to mark her first successful defense of the Regina di Wave title.[108] Throughout her championship reign, Kamitani went on to fend off title contenders such asHonoka,[109]Shin Sakura Hirota,[110] andYumi Ohka.[111] On August 10, during Wave's 18th anniversary show, Kamitani lost the title to Kohaku.[112]
On May 9, 2025, Kamitani appeared as a guest onLove It! [ja] a morning variety show broadcast onTBS Television.[116] Following this appearance, on June 30 Kamitani announced that she would become a regular member of the Love It! cast for the season, appearing on Friday mornings.[117]
^"AKB48のアルバイトメンバー大募集".Baitoru Campaign Site (in Japanese). Dip Corporation. 2014. Archived fromthe original on 2014-11-04. Retrieved2025-07-18.
^abc小島 和宏 (Kazuhiro Kojima) (2021-11-25)."元バイトAKB同期・HKT48松岡はな✕スターダム上谷沙弥選手が奇跡の再会「当時は時給1000円で…」" [Former part-time AKB colleagues HKT48 Hana Matsuoka and Stardom's Saya Kamitani have a miraculous reunion: "Back then, we were paid 1,000 yen an hour..."] (in Japanese). ENTAME next. Retrieved2 August 2025.
^"上谷沙弥" [Saya Kamitani].太田プロダクション (Ohta Production). Ohta Production Inc. 2019. Archived fromthe original on 2024-12-10. Retrieved2025-07-19.
^小島 和宏 (Kazuhiro Kojima) (2021-02-20).""元バイトAKB"プロレスラー上谷沙弥「ずっとアイドルになりたかった私がリングを選んだ理由」" ["Former Part-time AKB and professional wrestler Saya Kamitani: 'Why I chose the ring, even though I wanted to be an idol'] (in Japanese). ENTAME next. Retrieved2 August 2025.
^"2019年7月10日 プロテストに2名が合格！" [July 10, 2019 - Two people pass the pro-test!].wwr-stardom.com (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. July 10, 2019. Archived fromthe original on December 28, 2024. RetrievedNovember 16, 2025.
^Kamitani, Saya (2021-07-17).【記者会見】百花繚乱！5つ星★★★★★極上で激アツな闘い！『5★STAR GP 2021』出場選手が意気込み語る！ [[Press Conference] A dazzling array of talent! Five stars ★★★★★ An intense battle of the highest calibre! The participants of the ‘5★STAR GP 2021’ express their determination!].World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: World Wonder Ring Stardom. Retrieved2025-08-01.私の敵４台強と、林下詩美、朱里、彩羽匠、そして 中野 たむ、なんで笑ってるんですか？ [My four powerful opponents, Utami Hayashishita, Syuri, Takumi Iroha and Tam Nakano... Why are you laughing?]
^"5★STAR GP 2024 Day10" [5★STAR GP 2024 Day 10].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2024-08-25. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"5★STAR GP 2024 Day11" [5★STAR GP 2024 Day 11].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2024-08-28. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^ab"5★STAR GP 2024～優勝決定戦～" [5★STAR GP 2024 Finals].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2024-09-01. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"ワールド・オブ・スターダム選手権試合" [World of Stardom Title Match].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2025-02-02. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"【スターダム】玖麗さやか〝たむロス〟乗り越え…上谷沙弥戦への雑音一掃へ「そんな声も跳ね返す！」" [[Stardom] Sayaka Kurara overcomes 'Tam loss'... To eliminate noise before Saya Kamitani match: 'I'll reject those voices too!'].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2025-05-10. Retrieved2025-07-26.
^"ワールド・オブ・スターダム選手権試合" [World of Stardom Title Match].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2025-05-11. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"ワールド・オブ・スターダム選手権試合" [World of Stardom Title Match].スターダム公式サイト (STARDOM Official Website) (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2025-07-21. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^ab"【スターダム】ワールド王者・上谷沙弥がＡＺＭに敗れ準決勝進出ならず ビー・プレストリーから挑戦表明受ける" [World Champion Saya Kamitani loses to AZM, fails to advance to semi-finals, receives challenge from Bea Priestley].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Sports. August 20, 2025. RetrievedAugust 20, 2025.
^ab"【スターダム】上谷沙弥が元王者ビー・プレストリー撃破でワールド王座Ｖ５！ 9・27AZMと２冠戦へ" [Kamitani achieves V5 by defeating former champion Bea Priestley! Schedules double title bout against AZM on September 27th].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Sports. September 6, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2025.
^"【上谷沙弥『ラヴィット!』で夢かなう 地上波23年ぶり女子プロレス生中継で号泣「本当に幸せです」" [Saya Kamitani's Dream Comes True on "LoveIt!". She weeps after first live broadcast of Women's Pro Wrestling on terrestrial television in 23 years: "I'm truly happy".].Oricon News (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Oricon News. September 26, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2025.
^"【地上波23年ぶり快挙！『ラヴィット！』で女子プロレス生中継、上谷沙弥が夢実現！" [A first in 23 years for terrestrial TV! "LoveIt!" airs live women's pro wrestling, making Saya Kamitani's dream come true!].Yahoo News (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Maru Sports. September 26, 2025.Archived from the original on September 26, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2025.
^"【スターダム】上谷沙弥 因縁のＡＺＭを撃破しワールド＆ＳＴＲＯＮＧ女子２冠王者に君臨" [Saya Kamitani Defeats Rival AZM to Reign as World & Strong Women's Double Champion.].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Sports. September 27, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 27, 2025.
^"【ＷＡＶＥ】上谷沙弥 シン・広田さくらワールドに大苦戦も…Ｖ４成功「ここは私のＷＡＶＥ！」" [Saya Kamitani Regina - A Great Struggle in the World of Shin Sakura Hirota, but 4th Successful Defense. "This is My Wave!"].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 2025-04-05. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"【ＷＡＶＥ】上谷沙弥 狐伯に敗れレジーナ王座から陥落「これで沙弥様を超えたとは思わないでほしい」" ["[WAVE] Saya Kamitani loses Regina di Wave Title to Kohaku and falls from the throne. "Please don't think this means I have surpassed Saya-sama."].Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 2025-08-10. Retrieved11 August 2025.
^"「世間に見つかってしまった」〝鬼レンチャン〟で話題の28歳女子プロレスラーに脚光「格好いい」「感動した」" [The 28 year old female pro wrestler, who has been in the spotlight for her Onirenchan appearance, was called 'cool' and 'inspiring'.].Nishispo (in Japanese). Nishinippon Shimbun. 2025-04-05. Retrieved26 July 2025.
^"【メディア情報】5/24（土）22:00～日本テレビ「THE夜もヒッパレ！復活！見たい聴きたい歌いたい曲TOP10」にスターダム選手が出演します！" [Media Information 5/24 2200 NTV - "The Night of Hit Parade! Stardom athletes will appear on Top 10 songs you want to see and hear!].World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. 2025-05-21. Retrieved3 August 2025.
