STARDOM Returns to Korakuen Hall, Presents 5★STAR GP 2026 Awards

By: Noah Leatherland

With the STARDOM 5★STAR GP in the books, the joshi promotion were back with an event in Korakuen Hall. As well as an action-packed card, STARDOM handed out the tournament awards to those who impressed over the summer.

Ami Sohrei received the award for Outstanding Performance, her late surge in the tournament seeing her pick up wins against major names like Saya Kamitani and Starlight Kid. Sohrei shared a few words on being recognised for her performance:

In sumo, I hear it’s an award given when you defeat a strong wrestler like a yokozuna or an ōzeki, but I’ll do my best next year so that I can become a yokozuna myself.

Saya Iida was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize. Iida reached the semi-finals of Red Stars, having picked up nine points in the block round. She was thrilled with the award:

I did it! I’m happy that my hard work paid off with this trophy, but I’m not satisfied yet. I don’t think I won this on my own, so I want to thank my rivals who competed against me, and next year, I’m going to sweep all those trophies.

Ruaka, who’s performances saw her getting her name chanted in Korakuen Hall, received the Best Technique award. She kept her acceptance speech short and to the point:

Yay! I’m so happy to see my hard work pay off. Woo-hoo!

Then, there were the awards for the best bouts. In Red Stars A, the July 20th bout between Maika and AZM took the prize. In Red Stars B, the recognition went to Mei Seira and Rina Yamashita’s match from July 18th. Yamashita accepted the award, with a message for STARDOM fans:

It’s great news, but if we get complacent now, that’ll be the end of it. We’re going to keep making waves from here on out, so please stick with us.

For Blue Stars A, the best bout went to Hina and HANAKO from August 2nd. Both women were in attendance to accept the award, and both spoke on their grand aspirations.

Hina:

This is my first award in STARDOM. I’m not sure if I should be happy or frustrated that the match I lost was named Best Bout, but I’m not satisfied with it, so next time I’m going to take home the championship trophy.

HANAKO:

I’m incredibly happy. But I wanted to win the championship, so next year I’m going to win the championship after taking Best Bout.

For Blue Stars B, the best bout was deemed to be between Momo Watanabe and Saya Kamitani from August 3rd. Kamitani accepted the award, using the opportunity to also address the tournament winner, Rina:

Well, it goes without saying that Saya-sama would put on a great match, so let me just say one thing. Rina, you said something like, ‘STARDOM isn’t just about Kamitani,’ but I have absolutely no intention of giving up my spot at the top of STARDOM—or the top of the pro-wrestling world.

The Best Bout Award for the knockout stage of the tournament was given to Rina and Konami’s match from August 18th. As well as being given her individual trophy, Rina was there to accept this prize.

Did you guys have fun this summer? I’ve been named Best Bout in the knockout stage two years in a row—isn’t this an undisputed victory? Look forward to what I’m about to show you.

Starlight Kid was recognised for reaching the grand final as runner-up. Though it is a bittersweet prize to receive, it has not stifled Kid’s ambition:

I finished as runner-up, which will leave me with a lifelong sense of regret. But this runner-up finish was by no means a waste. Next time, we’re going for the championship trophy.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

The event saw the return of STARDOM talent from their American excursions. Syuri teamed with Kiyoka Kotatsu in a losing effort against Rina Yamashita and Itsuki Aoki. Hazuki and Fuwa-chan were also back in action, with Fuwa-chan picking up a win for her team off a Shining Wizard on Waka Tsukiyama, who was celebrating her 6th wrestling anniversary. Ranna Yagami is also back in Japan, pinning Akira Kurogane in tag action.

The High Speed Title was on the line in Korakeun Hall, with Yuna Mizumori defending against Koguma. However, after 15 minutes, a winner had not been decided and the bell rang for the expired time limit. With the result a draw, Mizumori makes a fifth successful defence of her title.

Starlight Kid was on the winning side of a big trios match in the main event, and had a message for the fans in attendance as she sets her sights abroad:

I’m heading off to Mexico for a week starting this week! I’m sorry I’ll have to miss a few shows in Japan, but, and this is such exciting news, I’ve also been booked for a CMLL Women’s World Championship title match! So, I’m going to keep spreading the name of SLK even further across the world!

(Quote translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Here are the full results for STARDOM in Korakuen Hall, September 6th, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Rina & Ruaka def. Natsupoi & Anne Kanaya (9:17)
• Maki Itoh, Kikyo Furusawa & Rian def. Utami Hayashishita, Saya Iida & Matoi Hamabe (14:43)
• Aya Sakura def. Hina and Fukigen Death★ (6:14)
• Rina Yamashita & Itsuki Aoki def. Syuri & Kiyoka Kotatsu (10:17)
• Saori Anou, Hazuki & Fuwa-chan def. Lady C, HANAKO & Waka Tsukiyama (9:29)
• Hanan & Ranna Yagami def. Ami Sohrei & Akira Kurogane (11:38)
• High Speed Title: Yuna Mizumori (c) vs. Koguma – Time Limit Draw (15:00)
• Suzu Suzuki, Miyu Amasaki & Starlight Kid def. Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora & Azusa Inaba (11:30)