Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
By: Thom Fain
Tokyo – Chika Goto’s family owns an Izakaya restaurant called “Umaissho Goto” located in Nishi-Oku, Arakawa, Tokyo, making last night’s Marigold Dream Star GP event at Sunpark Arakawa a true homecoming for “GoChika.” For fans in northern Tokyo, it was an electric atmosphere that culminated in both disappointment and triumph, as the tournament’s stakes continue to intensify.
Also in competition was Marigold World Champion Utami Hayashishita, who currently sits atop the Dream League standings with 8 points.
The main event homecoming match between Mayu Iwatani and Chika Goto told the story of experience versus hometown heart.
Iwatani, the former STARDOM icon who has brought her legendary status to Marigold, faced the local favorite in a match that eclipsed tournament points. GoChika’s signature power was on full display as she swung Iwatani an incredible 20 times, sending the crowd into a frenzy with each rotation.
The emotional crescendo came when GoChika ventured into the crowd, with the 573 fans in attendance erupting alongside both wrestlers. The moment captured the essence of what makes professional wrestling special — the connection between performer and audience, amplified by Goto’s genuine ties to the Arakawa-ku community.
Despite the hometown support and her impressive showing, Iwatani’s veteran instincts ultimately prevailed, adding crucial points to her Dream League campaign. Iwatani currently sits with 4 points, still within striking distance of tournament leader Utami Hayashishita.
Inaugural Dream Star GP winner Utami Hayashishita, who currently reigns as Marigold World Champion, makes her a clear target for the entire field. A dominant 8-point performance through seven nights has established her as the tournament favorite, but the mathematics of round-robin competition keep hope alive for her challengers.
Victoria Yuzuki entered the night with 6 points but suffered a setback against Kouki Amarei, whose victory moved her to 4 points as she continues building on her comeback from injury. Maria’s loss to Hayashishita highlighted another chapter in the ongoing Marigold vs. Marvelous feud.
The undercard delivered its own compelling narratives, particularly Nagisa Tachibana’s career-defining first singles victory over Nao Ishikawa. In a sport where breakthrough moments can reshape entire careers, Tachibana’s triumph represents the kind of star-making performance that tournaments are designed to create.
Darkness Revolution’s victory over the trio of Miku Aono, Hummingbird, and Megaton showcased the stable’s growing cohesion, with Misa Matsui securing the win. These faction dynamics add layers to the tournament landscape, as alliances and rivalries developed outside the GP structure influence the competition’s trajectory.
It was announced that Marigold will be running this building again in March 2026, ensuring that GoChika will have another homecoming opportunity. However, the immediate focus remains on the Dream Star GP’s remaining nights, where a future title challenge hangs in the balance.
For Hayashishita, she’ll look to pace the crowd in Dream League while staying in title fight shape. For challengers like Yuzuki and the others sitting middle of the pack at 4 points, the math requires a near-perfect finish to the tournament.
Marigold’s Dream Star GP continues to establish itself as a premier singles tournament, using a similar format to Summer’s annual New Japan G1 CLIMAX and STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix.
Current Dream League Standings:
Current Star League Standings:
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Date:
August 23, 2025
Category:
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