Waka Tsukiyama's Unyielding Quest for Glory: The Pursuit of Stardom's Future Championship
I want to face a Sohrei Ami like never seen before.
Written by: Jessi B
In a turn of events that could only be described as fateful, Waka Tsukiyama, the rising star of women's professional wrestling "Stardom," has her gaze fixed on the prize – the coveted Future Championship.
Though victories eluded her since joining Stardom in September 2021, Tsukiyama finally clinched her much-anticipated first win in a tag match at the Yokohama Convention on the 25th. The bout, in which she overcame veteran Nanae Takahashi, the esteemed holder of the Goddess Championship, sent shockwaves through the wrestling world.
Borne on the wings of momentum, Tsukiyama found herself hastily enlisted for the "Cinderella Tournament," which kicked off the very next day. And in a display of sheer determination, she emerged victorious against Lady C in the first round, notching her first singles win and a remarkable two-win streak.
On the 29th, Tsukiyama took to Twitter, proclaiming, "I've set my next goal. I want this," accompanied by a snapshot of the illustrious Future Belt. A clear declaration of intent if ever there was one.
The current reigning champion, ninth in the lineage, is Sohrei Ami. Tsukiyama previously challenged then-champion Hanan at a Tachikawa convention on July 9th last year, but alas, the belt remained just beyond her grasp.
In a candid interview with this newspaper, Tsukiyama reflected, "I still vividly remember my Future match with Hanan. The atmosphere of the venue, Hanan's presence, the excitement before the match, and the pain afterward." Such memories, no doubt, are etched in her psyche.
Yet, the tide has turned. Brimming with newfound confidence, Tsukiyama evaluated the current champion, remarking, "The reigning champion is Sohrei Ami. If Hanan is like a sunflower or a gerbera, Sohrei Ami is like a cedar tree. Straight, tall, and gentle. I've known her since our time in previous organizations, and she's an incredibly ordinary girl. She's endured her fair share of hardships, is reasonably resilient, and a normal, sensible person." Then, with a fire in her eyes, she implored, "I want to face a Sohrei Ami like never seen before. Let's both give it our all and create a match that paves the way to the future!"
Sohrei's calendar is marked for a fourth title defense against Rina at "NEW BLOOD 8" (Tokyo, Shinagawa Intercity Hall) on May 12th. And with eligibility to challenge for the title restricted to those under 20 years old or with less than three years of experience since their debut, the sands of time are slipping away for Tsukiyama, who made her debut in September 2020.
Will the "Kozuen Little Devil," resolved to concentrate on the Cinderella Tournament first, succeed in catching the champion's eye? And let us not forget the brewing rivalry with Miyu Amasaki, who also has her sights trained on the Future Championship. In the world of wrestling, as in life, the drama unfolds in ways that keep us all on the edge of our seats.