Sayaka Kurara Responds To Backlash About Her Challenging For STARDOM’s Red Belt, Says She Is Still Struggling With Tam Nakano’s Retirement

By: Lewis Carlan

The World of STARDOM Championship will be defended on May 11th as the champion Saya Kamitani will face the challenge of Cinderella Tournament 2025 winner Sayaka Kurara at Korakuen Hall.

Kurara, who is only 24, has been receiving criticism from some fans who feel she is not ready to be challenging for STARDOM’s top prize. Despite how fans feel, Kurara won the 2025 Cinderella Tournament and earned the right to challenge for any title she wishes. She chose the World of STARDOM title and her wish from her tournament win was granted.

Many fan doubts were put to rest when Kurara pinned Kamitani in a preliminary tag team match on May 1st. Those doubts about Kurara may have returned on May 6th when Kamitani beat Kurara in dominating fashion in another preliminary tag match.

Kurara spoke with Tokyo Sports and addressed the fan backlash regarding her upcoming World of STARDOM Title match.

From Sayaka Kurara:

“People say that my challenging for the belt will lower its value, but I will put on a match that will defy such voices. If I can win the top title of the promotion at this point in my career, I think it will show people that pro wrestling is full of dreams, so I want to embody the STARDOM Dream and become someone who can give hope to many people.”

Another topic that Kurara discussed was how she is still coming to grips with the forced retirement of Tam Nakano, who lost a career vs. career match to Saya Kamitani on April 27th. Kurara had a close relationship with Nakano as they were both members of the Cosmic Angels unit.

Nakano had taken Kurara under her wing, was regularly seen in the corner of Kurara during matches and even protected her when Kamitani tried to lure Kurara into her unit H.A.T.E.

From Sayaka Kurara on struggling with the loss of Tam Nakano:

“We had a Kyushu tour straight after the Yokohama Arena show, so it still doesn’t really sink in that Tam-san has retired. But Tam-san was always there for me as my second and before the match she would say to me, ‘Kurara, it’s going to be okay,’ so I really feel a sense of loss now that she’s gone. I’m not going into the match feeling like I can’t do it because Tam-san isn’t there, and I don’t feel like I’m carrying Tam-san’s weight on my shoulders either. From now on, I will create the future of STARDOM that Tam-san protected, and I am motivated by the thought of showing Tam-san something she can be proud of.”

Sayaka Kurara has an incredible opportunity on May 11th to win the World of STARDOM championship from Saya Kamitani. Without Nakano around anymore, Kurara is out to prove that she has gained the experience and maturity to go it alone in major championship bouts. We will find out in a few days if Kurara is ready to begin realizing her pro-wrestling championship dreams.

(H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for the above English quote translation)