Seri Yamaoka Vows To Change Her Mindset Towards Pro Wrestling In An Effort to Reach New Heights

By: Lewis Carlan

Seri Yamaoka had gotten off to a lightning fast start to the Marigold DREAM★STAR GP 2025 tournament which began Aug. 2nd. She was placed in the DREAM League block and defeated CHIAKI in her opening match of the tournament.

In Yamaoka’s second bout of the tournament she faced one of the best in the world in Mayu Iwatani. Going into the match, Iwatani had been undefeated since joining the Marigold roster back in May 2025. In an encounter that lasted 10:50, the 18 year old phenom shocked Iwatani and the fans in attendance by emerging victorious and handing the Icon her first defeat inside a Marigold ring.

Photo Credit: Marigold

Things were looking great for Yamaoka, she had won her first two tournament matches and had a block leading four points. Momentum was definitely on the side of Yamaoka and it appeared she was going to have a terrific showing in the DREAM★STAR GP 2025 then walls came crumbling down.

Yamaoka’s next tournament match came against her rival Victoria Yuzuki. Prior to this match, the two young stars met in a bout back in June that ending a draw. All the momentum Yamaoka brought into this match was stopped cold as Yuzuki defeated her, handing Yamaoka her first loss of the tournament.

The loss to Yuzuki must have really affected Yamaoka as she lost her next two tournament bouts to Utami Hayashishita and Kouki Amarei. The defeats left her with a 2-3 DREAM★STAR GP 2025 record up until that point.

Photo Credit: Marigold

While Yamaoka bounced back and won her next bout of the tournament against Maria, it was a case of too little too late as she was eliminated from contention of reaching the finals.

Yamaoka, who began the tournament with high hopes ended with a feeling of disappointment. This was apparent when she posted a heartfelt, lengthy message on social media. Yamaoka indicated that she feels distant from pro wrestling and believes she is nowhere near good enough as a competitor. She stated she plans on changing her mindset and approach in an effort to get better.

From Seri Yamaoka:

Right now, I feel distant from the pro wrestling I love. Lately, I’ve been thinking about this huge wall standing in my way. At this rate, I’m nowhere near good enough. My effort, skill, technique… it’s all lacking. To inch closer to the pro wrestling I envision, I’m going to fundamentally change my mindset and approach! You can’t grow within fixed ideas. Keep your thinking flexible! And no matter what anyone says, I won’t break. I’ll keep climbing higher and higher! I’ll carve the name Seri Yamaoka into the pro wrestling world!! Please keep supporting me from now on!! I’ll do my best.

Seri Yamaoka is, without a doubt, the future of Joshi Puroresu. She has been billed as a “super rookie” for a reason. Yamaoka won her first major title 16 days into her career as she held the Marigold Twin Star Titles with Nanae Takahashi.

By coming out and saying that she needs to change her mindset when it comes to pro wrestling as she wants to be a better wrestler, exhibits the level of maturity she has at only 18 years of age.

Yamaoka has the potential to lead the charge in the world of Joshi Puroresu for the next 10-15 years. Despite the level of talent she currently possesses, she has not yet reached her peak and that should be a scary thought for all her future opponents.