Akira Kurogane and Kikyo Furusawa Qualify for the STARDOM 5Star Grand Prix

By Noah Leatherland

The last two contestants in this year’s STARDOM 5★STAR Grand Prix have been decided. In STARDOM in Fuji, the final qualifying matches saw Akira Kurogane and Kikyo Furusawa emerge victorious.

First, Kurogane sealed her spot by defeating Kiyoka Kotatsu. Kurogane’s strikes led her to victory, with a running knee strike acting as the final blow that put Kotatsu down for a three-count. It was not an easy bout for Kurogane, nursing her knee after the match due to damage done by Kotatsu.

Speaking after the match, Kotatsu looks to turn the loss into something positive:

I’m absolutely devastated today. But… I intend to face up to these feelings and to myself head-on, and channel them all into my ability and my matches. I won’t stop fighting until the day I can smile about it again. Akira, congratulations on qualifying for the 5★STAR GP.

Meanwhile, clutching an ice pack to her knee, Kurogane took the chance to lay out a warning to the rest of the field:

So that means I’ve secured my ticket to the 5★STAR GP, right? I’ve done it! Last year, I lost to Yuria (Hime), so I couldn’t take part in the 5★STAR GP… I was stuck in the corner all the time, doing the pre-match announcements—it was so frustrating. That’s why this year, I’ve finally made it happen!

Let me make one thing clear, though: I’m not entering the 5★STAR GP just to make my mark, nor am I going there for a challenge match. What I’m really looking forward to—and I mean really looking forward to—is biting down hard on the throats of the strong ones… the strong seniors! Hey, don’t think I’m just a qualifier. Don’t think I’m just a youngster. I’m going to bite down on them with all my might!

For Furusawa, she had to overcome the newest member of Neo Genesis, Ema Miashima. It was Furusawa’s superior submission technique that led her to victory. The ankle lock proved to be the deciding hold, forcing Maishima to tap out. With that win, all members of the Itoh Respect Gundan are set for the 5★STAR Grand Prix.

Maishima shared her frustrations after the match, but is determined to still make the most of her summer:

I thought summer was about to begin. But before it even started, my summer was over. I don’t want to admit it, and it’s frustrating, but KikyoFurusawa was stronger today. I’ll show you that I can become stronger in my own way, without competing in 5★STAR.

Meanwhile, Furusawa is determined to make an impact on her first 5★STAR Grand Prix:

I’ve secured a 5★STAR (qualification) here in my hometown of Fuji! Making it through isn’t something to be taken for granted, so I intend to give it my all as Kikyo Furusawa—even fiercer than this sweltering summer.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Here are the full results for STARDOM in Fuji, July 11th, courtesy of purolove.com:

• AZM, Starlight Kid, Miyu Amasaki & Mei Seira def. Utami Hayashishita, Suzu Suzuki, Koguma & Waka Tsukiyama (9:40)
• 5★STAR GP Qualifier: Akira Kurogane def. Kiyoka Kotatsu (10:54)
• 5★STAR GP Qualifier: Kikyo Furusawa def. Ema Maishima (10:25)
• Ami Sohrei, Hina & Tomoka Inaba def. Momo Watanabe, Konami & Fukigen Death★ (8:35)
• Saya Kamitani, Ruaka & Azusa Inaba def. Hanan, Saya Iida & Matoi Hamabe (9:59)
• Saori Anou, Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara, Yuna Mizumori & Anne Kanaya def. Syuri, Maika, Maki Itoh, Rian & HANAKO (13:54)