V5 Achieved: An Exclusive Interview With BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion Daimonji So

By: Lewis Carlan

On March 20th, the current BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion Daimonji So defended his title against the challenge of Kankuro Hoshino. This was the fifth defense of the championship by Daimonji So since he won the belt back on Oct. 13th 2025.

Despite a hard fought bout by the 50 year old Hoshino, Daimonji was able to end the match at the 21:28 mark after hitting his trademark Black Rain finisher on the challenger.

After the bout, Daimonji’s faction, YosoMono was confronted by members of BJW and they all had a stand off in the ring. Kazumasa Yoshida issued a challenge to Daimonji and his BJW World Heavyweight Title which was accepted by the champion.

Photo Credit: BJW

BJW made it official as Daimonji So will make his sixth defense of the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title against Kazumasa Yoshida on April 29th. The championship bout will take place at the biggest BJW event of the year at Yokohama Budokan.

After his victory over Kankuro Hoshino on March 20th at Korakuen Hall, Daimonji So spoke exclusively with Monthly Puroresu as we discussed his V5 achievement and the new challenge of Yoshida.

Monthly Puroresu:
Congratulations on your victory in the title defense against Kankuro Hoshino. At the age of 50, did you expect Hoshino to launch such a fierce assault, pushing himself to his absolute limits?

Daimonji So:
Is he really 50? I’ve thought that so many times, but since he’s had so few matches, I was genuinely surprised this time. Let me say it again: is he really 50? He was in amazing shape, even amidst Big Japan’s grueling schedule.

Monthly Puroresu:
This marks your fifth successful title defense. You once said, “I will never lose the title.” Has that mindset changed? Is it because you believe there aren’t enough worthy rivals in BJW?

Daimonji So:
I haven’t changed—I’ve evolved. I’m stronger now than I was in my first title defense, and I still have things to accomplish with this belt. That’s why I can’t afford to lose.

Monthly Puroresu:
Kazumasa Yoshida has challenged you for the title again. You defeated him in January. After that decisive victory in January, do you feel you have a physical and mental advantage over him?

Daimonji So:
The situation hasn’t changed, but his growth is what Big Japan needs, so I do have high hopes for him. But he can’t beat me. If he’s the same as he was in January, I’ll defend the title 100%. If we have a normal match, I’ll defend it 100%. Whether he has what it takes to change that, well, I’ll just dominate him and end it.

Photo Credit: BJW

Monthly Puroresu:
Do you still consider Yoshida a legitimate threat to the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Championship?

Daimonji So:
I don’t know if there are subtitles, but take a look at Yoshida’s mic work at Korakuen Hall the other day. There was nothing threatening about it. The fans who watched it must have felt that too. If you think that mic work was good, then you’re coddling Yoshida way too much.

Monthly Puroresu:
It was announced that attendance at Korakuen Hall was 392 people. Are you at all disappointed by the low turnout for this event? Or do you think it was because it was a national holiday in Japan?

Daimonji So:
There was a tournament by another promotion at the same time, and I lost to them. My own strength just wasn’t enough yet. I want to apologize for that. I have no excuses—it’s my own lack of ability. I’ll work hard so more people will know about us and choose to buy tickets for Big Japan.

Photo Credit: Daimonji So

Monthly Puroresu:
At what point would you decide that you have defended the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Championship enough within BJW and begin defending it in other promotions?

Daimonji So:
Yokohama Budokan is the biggest match in Big Japan. If I defend my title here, there’s no bigger stage left in Big Japan, so I’m calling for a title defense match against a wrestler from another promotion.

Monthly Puroresu:
Congratulations once again on your victory in the title defense against Kankuro Hoshino. I wish you continued success in the future.

Daimonji So:
Thank you for always covering my matches. I’m grateful that you’re conveying the revolution currently taking place in Big Japan Pro-Wrestling to fans around the world in English. I’ll be showing you an even more exciting world from here on out, so don’t miss it.

(English translations via Deepl.com)

Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Daimonji So for facilitating this interview.