Exclusive Interview: Daimonji So Opens Up About Losing The BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title and More!

By: Lewis Carlan

On April 29th, Daimonji So’s 198 day reign as BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion came to an end at the hands of Kazumasa Yoshida. There were 1,255 fans in attendance at the Yokohama Budokan as they witnessed Yoshida dethrone Daimonji So for BJW’s top title.

Daimonji So won the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title back on Oct. 13 2025 when he defeated Daichi Hashimoto for the belt and made five successful defenses before losing the coveted title to Yoshida.

With the loss, the future for Daimonji So within BJW was uncertain and many fans wondered if his time with the promotion had come to an end without the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title in his possession.

Monthly Puroresu caught up with Daimonji So as we discussed him losing the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title and a number of other topics.

Here is our special interview with former BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion Daimonji So:

Monthly Puroresu:
You lost the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title on April 29^th to Kazumasa Yoshida. How does it feel to be a former champion now?

Daimonji So:
One journey has come to an end. I achieved my goal of winning the title, defended it five times, and headlined an event at the Yokohama Budokan. The fact that I accomplished all this despite not being a BJW member has given me a tremendous sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Photo Credit: Daimonji So

Monthly Puroresu:
You defeated Yoshida back in Jan 2026. What did you see as the main difference in Yoshida on April 29^th compared to Jan. 2026?

Daimonji So:
I don’t think his physical abilities or wrestling skills have changed, but seeing the fans in the arena desperately cheering for Yoshida, and almost all of his roster members cheering him on ringside, there was an invisible power in that place.

Monthly Puroresu:
There were over 1,200 fans in attendance at Yokohama Budokan for Big Japan 31 Beyond the Survivor. That had to be a good feeling and can BJW continue this momentum?

Daimonji So:
It was small—way too small. My ideal was over 2,000, so there’s still a long way to go.

Monthly Puroresu:
On April 29^th, you thanked BJW on social media and many people thought you had finished your time with BJW. When you lost the title, did you think you were finished competing in BJW?

Daimonji So:
As I mentioned in the first question, I’m probably the first non-BJW member in the promotion’s history to have a title run like this. And since Minoru Fujita also failed to win the belt in the semifinals, outsiders now have zero belts. I feel like this marks a turning point for me in BJW.

Monthly Puroresu:
What does the future hold for you in BJW?

Daimonji So:
I have a rough idea, but since I haven’t restarted yet, I can’t announce anything. However, now that I’ve lost the belt, I can enjoy myself much more freely. Ending every match with a DQ or a referee stoppage is an option. Going for low blows in every match is also an option. Anyway, without the belt, I’ll fight freely.

Monthly Puroresu:
Joji Otani is the newest member of Yosomono, what does he bring to the faction?

Photo Credit: BJW

Daimonji So:
I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve fought each other many times, so I know his skills. He’s not used to BJW yet, so I might have to help him out at first, but ultimately, I want to steer him toward the BJW Jr. title.

Monthly Puroresu:
Will you be looking to get a shot at Yoshida to regain the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title?

Daimonji So:
I don’t go after a belt I’ve already won once—the All-Asia title I held for two years is a case in point. But it’s all about timing. If Yoshida’s title run doesn’t benefit BJW, then it’s my fault for letting him take it, so I’ll go after it again.

Monthly Puroresu:
Switching to GLEAT, do you have any interest in pursuing the GLEAT G Rex Title held by El Lindaman?

Daimonji So:
Right now, the guy I’m interested in at GLEAT is Hayato Tamura, who’s come back from injury. Matches with him are fun. Then there’s Parker Boudreaux—we haven’t had a singles match yet.

Photo Credit: GLEAT

Monthly Puroresu:
How does Black Generation International compare to Yosomono and could we ever see the two factions working together between GLEAT and BJW?

Daimonji So:
In my mind, BJW is BJW and GLEAT is GLEAT—they’re different worlds. But I’d actually like to see that kind of scenario play out.

Monthly Puroresu:
You have a full schedule for the month of May, is there a specific event you are looking forward to competing in?

Daimonji So:
I give 100% in every match, so I don’t want to single out any one as “special.” Above all, I just want to see the fans who come that day having a good time. But if I had to pick one, it would be the tag team match at PPPTOKYO on the 21st—I’m looking forward to facing Shuji Kondo for the first time.

Photo Credit: PPP Tokyo

(English translations via Deepl.com)

Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Daimonji So for facilitating this interview.