Yokohama Budokan show & KING OF DDT 2023 Pre Event Feature: Hideki Okatani Street Snap & Interview

We speak with Hideki Okatani who won the April 1^st match for the right to participate in KING OF DDT 2023. We bring this interview along with a street snap.

――Looking back at your victory on April 1^st, how does it feel winning the right to participate in KING OF DDT 2023?
<em>Okatani: I was hoping to finish of Kojima as soon as possible but nothing was going as planned. At the same time I had to handle Koroku as well so I practically didn’t have any downtime between them. It was more exasperating than I thought.</em>
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――You said post match that “you’ll carry their wills on a whim and take part in KING OF DDT.” Did you feel that way through the match?
<em>Okatani: They were more younger guys but us three were chosen for this match. I don’t know what the other two were thinking, but I felt I had to carry the wills of the rest as well to go through the match.</em>
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――You participated last year in KING OF DDT for the first time but how different are you emotionally this time?
<em>Okatani: I felt more cornered to deliver a result this year compared to last. Its a lot stronger than last year’s.</em>

――You’ll take part in an 8-man Tag Match at Yokohama Budokan (Takagi & HARASHIMA & Kotaro & Okatani vs Higuchi & Sakaguchi & Doi & KANON). I’m sure you’ll be wrestling this match with Higuchi and Sakaguchi in mind right?
<em>Okatani: Sakaguchi is the boss of Eruption and Higuchi was the one who I had to face to join Eruption so I have very strong feelings about them. With Higuchi leaving I felt that I had to do better to push Eruption as a unit. As for KANON, I’ve never liked him. I enjoyed watching Doi when I was a fan. I definitely want to face him in the ring.</em>

――Anyone in mind on your team?
<em>Okatani: This will be the first time I’ll be with Kotaro Suzuki in the ring so I’m excited. I’ve faced Takagi before but never teamed up with him so I’m looking forward to that as well.</em>

――What do you plan to achieve during this match?
<em>Okatani: I’m the least tenured. Tenure doesn’t matter to me. What matters most of how much of a mark I can leave amongst these strong members in the ring.</em>

――Your first opponent will be Shunma Katsumata. Your thoughts on him?
<em>Okatani: I’ve never fought him in a singles match before. I think he’s “amazing.” Whatever he does comes off as someone who fights at the top. Whether it’s a normal match or a Hardcore match or even a Deathmatch. He always leaves great matches in the ring. So honestly? I really can’t wait to go against him.</em>

――Depending on the result at Yokohama he might become EXTREME Champion by then. Would you prefer to face him with himself holding the EXTREME title?
<em>Okatani: Its better he has it than he doesn’t. However, instead of what will happen in the title I’m more interested in facing him the wrestler.</em>

――And if you get the win, you’ll probably face either Okada or Higuchi. Based on your experiences would you rather face Higuchi in this situation?
<em>Okatani: Ever since that judging match, I’ve never faced him again in a singles match. I hope he wins and I can show him the difference compared to our previous encounter.</em>

――Who would love to face in the finals?
<em>Okatani: It has to be Sakaguchi.</em>
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――And if you win there’s a chance to face for the KO-D Openweight Championship. Your thoughts?
<em>Okatani: Winning the KING OF DDT gives me an opportunity to take the top so it’s a wonderful chance.</em>