Sanada & Hikuleo Qualify for NJPW G1 Climax 33 Quarterfinals
Sanada and Hikuleo have qualified for the quarterfinals of NJPW G1 Climax 33 tournament from Block A.
The league phase matches for Block A from G1 Climax 33 ended on night 13 on August 5 in Osaka, Japan. Sanda secured 1st position in the group while Hikuleo came in second.
Sanada, the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, secured the top position by remaining undefeated with a record of 7-0, earning a total of 14 points. In the A block, SANADA defeated Hikuelo, Shota Umino, Yota Tsuji, Kaito Kiyomiya, Ren Narita, Gabe Kidd, and Chase Owens.
Incredible matches for the last two points, two men confirmed for the Elite Eight, and even two Yota Tsujis (?)
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) August 5, 2023
It was a huge night to close A Block in Osaka!#G1CLIMAX33 A Block update (spoilers)https://t.co/ZHnPckYfQj
Watch the replay now!https://t.co/oo75S3jCys pic.twitter.com/AsNav8lH1z
SANADA is the first competitor to achieve a 7-0 record in Block action since Kazuyuki Fujita in 2005, with Shinsuke Nakamura holding a 6-0 record in 2009.
Hikuleo finished the block with 8 points and a 4-3 record, securing the second spot in the block. He defeated Shota Umino in the main event on August 5 to secure his second-place finish.
Hikuleo started the tournament with three consecutive losses against SANADA, Gabe Kidd, and Chase Owens, but he bounced back and secured his spot by winning four matches consecutively.
SANADA is scheduled to face the runner-up of C Block, while Hikuleo will be competing against the victor of D Block. The qualifications from the rest of the groups will be confirmed over the next 3 nights of G1 Climax 33 events.
