Ones To Watch, 2.07.23 – Sakura Mizushima

Sakura Mizushima

By: Jeff Brown

The new AWG’s fresh energy is exemplified best by Sakura Mizushima, embodying her nickname “Smiles in Full Bloom” as she twirls her ribbon stick to the ring soundtracked by her infectious springtime music.

With only 20 matches in her 11-month career, she is one of the rookies that really took to wrestling for AWG. At the end of 2021, Actwres Girl’z had about six veterans to lean on. So, they didn’t have the luxury of doing a slow-burn approach with their debuting class.

【#アクトレスリング 日替わり出演選手紹介】

➖水嶋さくら➖
笑顔満開、舞い上がる桜吹雪@man_kai_sakura

応援宜しくお願いします！#アクトレスガールズ

チケット詳細こちらまで↓https://t.co/LQRdtP6VQ6 pic.twitter.com/FHIofznXG0

— アクトレスガールズ / Actwres girl'Z (@actwresgirlz) October 13, 2022

Early 2022 shows had Sakura, Nagisa Shiotsuki, and Kouki all part of winning tag teams to establish them as legit competition in this new landscape. Sakura’s aptitude is frightening, even when factoring in that the majority of her outings have been tag matches that can hide limitations. A new viewer could easily mistake her as part of the veteran roster.

10/23（日）#ACTwrestling 大阪公演
＠コレガスタジオ

1.Single match
○入江彩乃
（5:43/ビッグブーツ）
●水嶋さくら#アクトレスリング pic.twitter.com/QeYEcdWFM8

— アクトレスガールズ / Actwres girl'Z (@actwresgirlz) October 23, 2022

February 13 at Shinjuku Face was her debut. It was a winning tag with Mii opposite Act Yasukawa under the Wild Bunny persona, and Kouki. She would continue the alliance with Mii. At the same time, she got important singles tests against veterans Miku Aono and Ayano Irie.

In December, Mii was offered a spot in Act’s BE∀STZ REBELLION but declined. Instead, she chose to form Update+. The new faction includes Nagisa Shiotsuki, Asako Mia and Sakura. Fast forward to her 20th match on January 9th, and Mizushima pins Act Yasukawa to bookend this brief but fruitful run that isn’t even a year old. 

12/16（金）#ACTwrestling Step12
＠新木場1stRING　Start18:45

1.Single match
○水嶋さくら
　（6:29/120%スクールボーイ）
●汐月なぎさ#アクトレスリング pic.twitter.com/v3ejnviF0F

— アクトレスガールズ / Actwres girl'Z (@actwresgirlz) December 16, 2022

In terms of signature moves, her gymnastics background enhances her Muta Lock. It’s done from the standing position as she bends backward into a harsh bridge that looks inhuman. That flexibility also helps her opponents’ submissions look more brutal. When you add her high-speed moves, she stands out on the roster.

To help familiarize fans while adding character depth, she participates in a YouTube series with three other AWG roster members: Nagisa Shiotsuki, Koara Fujimoto, and Kanamic. They are collectively known as NagiSakuKoalaMic, as they are part of the same talent agency.

Episodes are varied. They review their in-ring debuts, play silly games, and feature a recurring skit. Sakura portrays an Italian fashion designer who consults on ring gear designs, repeatedly exclaiming “Chao!” while wearing a fancy hat. She has Nagisa as her doting assistant in requisite hipster glasses. The hat got lost on the subway recently, so it may be curtains for that character. With a fifth member/new AWG trainee in the fold, only time will tell if the Milan tastemaker makes a return.

In the ARG realm, she is known as Cocotte Heart, a member of the Star magical☆project, a trio of students from a magical school in Idinarok. They were chosen by a Unicorn named Uni to go forth on a high adventure to retrieve three sacred treasures.

Even by ARG standards, this is quite a unique group. It is shown by their ability to freeze time during performances. Bright colors, ribbons, and big smiles make her one to watch as this first year closes with the new faction and big victories.