A Special Interview With Marigold Star Nao Ishikawa

By: Lewis Carlan

Nao Ishikawa has been a very familiar face for Marigold ever since its inception back in May 2024. Ishikawa has been a crowd favourite who is known to bring a competitive intensity every time she steps into the ring.

Photo Credit: Marigold

Back in Dec. 2025, Ishikawa made it to the Twin Star Cup semifinals with tag team partner Hummingbird. The two worked well together exhibiting terrific chemistry which catapulted them into the semifinals.

Ishikawa has improved greatly since she began wrestling for Marigold and seems determined to have a breakthrough year in 2026. One thing that has eluded her since she began her career as a pro-wrestler is winning a title.

The immensely talented Ishikawa is hoping that she will be wearing her first championship title in 2026.

Nao Ishikawa took time out of her busy schedule to speak with Monthly Puroresu about a variety of topics.

Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with Marigold star Nao Ishikawa:

Monthly Puroresu:

At First Dream 2026, you slapped Kouki Amarei during the course of the match. What was the reasoning behind it?

Nao Ishikawa:

I was trying to tell Kouki, who prioritizes her acting career, that this was a pro wrestling ring, and the slap just came naturally.

Monthly Puroresu:

Do you consider Amarei a rival and could we possibly see more battles between the two of you in 2026?

Nao Ishikawa:

I don’t think of her as a rival. My rival has always been myself.

Monthly Puroresu:

At the Twin Star 2025 tournament, you teamed with Hummingbird and made it to the semifinals and very nearly beat Misa Matsui and CHIAKI. How disappointing was it to lose in the semifinals?

Nao Ishikawa:

I always go into matches with the determination to win, so yes, losing was disappointing.

Monthly Puroresu:

You and Hummingbird make a great team and work well together. Will you two be teaming more in the future and maybe even challenge for the Twin Star titles?

Nao Ishikawa:

I often face Hummingbird, so we have a natural chemistry. Of course, I’d always love to challenge for the title.

Photo Credit: Marigold

Monthly Puroresu:

What was the reason you decided to become a pro-wrestler?

Nao Ishikawa:

I was originally an idol fan, but seeing idols perform alongside professional wrestlers sparked my interest in professional wrestling.

Monthly Puroresu:

Being a pro-wrestler, you spend a lot of time on the road, do you enjoy being on the road travelling from city to city?

Nao Ishikawa:

The travel time can be long and tiring, but I enjoy meeting so many people and wrestling in so many different places.

Monthly Puroresu:

Do you have a a favourite venue to compete in and why?

Nao Ishikawa:

I’ve always loved sumo, so I’m happy to be able to wrestle at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Also Korakuen Hall is the holy grail of Japanese professional wrestling, so I feel more like a professional wrestler and I like it because I can easily see the faces of the audience.

Monthly Puroresu:

How do you prepare mentally for your matches? Do you still get nervous before competing?

Nao Ishikawa:

Whether at the dojo or in the ring before a match, I simply practice and prepare. I believe that practice is what makes me stronger. I get nervous every time, but I think a certain level of nervousness actually improves my matches.

Photo Credit: Marigold

Monthly Puroresu:

When you aren’t competing, how do you spend your free time?

Nao Ishikawa:

I practice, go to the gym, stretch, and get plenty of sleep to rest my body. But I also love eating and drinking a lot!

Monthly Puroresu:

Do you feel you are one big singles win away from challenging for a championship and is there a specific title you’d like to go after?

Nao Ishikawa:

I’m not sure if I can do it, but I always want to try. I’m most interested in the red belt.

Monthly Puroresu:

Have you set any goals for yourself in 2026?

Nao Ishikawa:

Winning a belt.

Monthly Puroresu:

There are many Nao Ishikawa fans, what message would you like to give them?

Nao Ishikawa:

Thank you for your continued support! I’d be even happier if you bought Ishikawa merchandise and told the company and promoters to make more Ishikawa merchandise! I love my fans as much as they love me! Please continue to support me!

Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to DSF Marigold for facilitating this interview with Nao Ishikawa and providing the English text translation.