Text and photos exclusively by Tokio Tsukada / Copyright & Courtesy: PRO WRESTLING NOAH
A new star has emerged from Pro Wrestling NOAH. He was profoundly impacted by the match Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi that he saw in elementary school, inspiring him to become a pro wrestler. He began wrestling in fourth grade and achieved notable results during his student years, including 3rd place in the JOC Junior Olympic Cup Men’s Freestyle 63kg class and 5th place in the East Japan Student Championship Rookie Division 65kg class. While attending university, he took Pro Wrestling NOAH’s rookie entrance exam but failed initially. He then worked as a coach at the Tamon Honda Wrestling School while continuing his own training.
In November 2023, he participated in an open audition held on “Kenoh Channel” and was the sole candidate to pass, securing his entry into NOAH.
His name is Daiki Odashima.
After joining, he overcame rigorous training at the NOAH Dojo. He made his debut on September 14, 2024, at “STAR NAVIGATION 2024” held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, facing Yu Owada. Though he lost the match, his straightforward, spirited fighting style left a strong impression on the audience.
On July 19, 2025, at the Korakuen Hall event, Daiki Odashima’s tag team secured their first victory against Junta Miyawaki.
His style is rooted in the wrestling techniques passed down from his mentor, Tamon Honda.
Honda, nicknamed the “God of Amateur Wrestling,” is a former Olympian who also competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Odashima is steadily gaining experience, honing both his technical skills and mental fortitude. He continues to step into the ring with passion, aiming to become a figure who moves people’s hearts, just like the wrestlers he admires. Odashima’s appeal lies in his youthful fighting style. Despite being a small fighter at 165cm (5’5″), his fearless approach to any opponent inspires the crowd.
Particularly notable are the unpredictable dropkicks he unleashes during exchanges throughout matches. When Odashima finds himself at a disadvantage, he seizes any opening with these fluid, unpredictable dropkicks. Opponents are caught off guard by them, shifting the match’s momentum. As I have been watching his matches since his debut, I’ve witnessed this scene countless times and am impressed every single time.
Finally, the turning point has come. Pro Wrestling NOAH held “WRESTLE ODYSSEY” at Ryogoku Kokugikan on October 11th. The GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf of “Los Golpeadores,” were going to defend their titles for the fifth time against Daga and Daiki Odashima.
Odashima, a second-year wrestler, achieved the remarkable feat of winning the title on his first challenge.
Amidst the roaring cheers of the Kokugikan, he was hoisted onto Daga’s shoulders after the match, striking a triumphant victory pose.
Thus, the challengers Daga & Daiki Odashima were crowned the new champions. Odashima, who debuted just last September, became the fastest champion in history, winning his first title on his first title challenge, just one year and one month after his debut.
After the match, he declared:
“I am the future of NOAH!”
This match foreshadowed the future of NOAH Junior. Against the ever-changing aerial attacks of the champion team, Los Goleadores, the challengers countered effectively, with veteran Daga skillfully building the match with inside work and young Odashima bursting with energy. Although they suffered at times under the champions’ fierce aerial attacks, Odashima responded with moves like the side suplex. In a heated battle where both teams threw everything they had at each other, Odashima, held by Bane, took the fall with a quick roll-up and captured the championship.
In the ring, the Ryogoku Kokugikan was filled with deafening cheers as Odashima celebrated his victory on Taga’s shoulders. It was the moment a new star was born in the NOAH ring. That expectation turned into certainty backstage after the match. First, his partner, Daga, stated in fluent Japanese,
“Daiki is NOAH’s future. What I must do now is fully support Daiki, who is NOAH’s future. Watching him reminds me so much of myself right after I started wrestling and entered this world. I’ve watched NOAH since long ago; NOAH was a dream for me. And now, standing here in NOAH, seeing a wrestler like Daiki, it’s like seeing myself back then. He’s like my little brother, like a friend. But as a team, I’ll support him solidly, and together, Daiki and I will firmly build NOAH’s future.”
Hearing those words, the newly crowned champion Odashima also voiced his resolve. NOAH’s future will shine brightly in the ring. I am positively sure that he will make the junior division even more exciting and drive the fans wild.
