Mina Shirakawa Challenges for IWGP Women’s Title in New Japan

Mayu Iwatani will defend her IWGP Women’s Championship against Mina Shirakawa at The New Beginning in Sapporo

By: James Carlin

When Mina Shirakawa officially announced her intentions to challenge STARDOM’s Icon for the IWGP Women’s Championship, it was said that they would decide the time and place at a later date. Now we have a time and date, as the Venus will seek to dethrone Mayu Iwatani inside of a New Japan ring at The New Beginning in Sapporo on February 23rd.

This will be the first time that the IWGP Women’s championship has been featured on a NJPW show in Japan since Mercedes Mone defended the belt against Hazuki and AZM in her first and only succesful defence of the title at Sakura Genesis.

Mayu Iwatani last defended the championship at Stardom Gate 2024 against God’s Eye leader Syuri. Her defence, if she can defeat Shirakawa, will be her fourth since she won the championship from Mercedes Mone at Yokohama Arena in April 2023. In the 287 days since, she has defended against Utami Hayashishita and Syuri in Japan, and against CMLL’s Stephanie Vaquer in the United States.

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