Starlight Kid Comments On Size Advantage Of Next White Belt Challenger HANAKO, Sets Goal To Surpass 15 Title Defenses

By: Lewis Carlan

On May 21st at STARDOM NIGHTER 2025 in KORAKUEN MAY, the current Wonder of STARDOM Champion Starlight Kid will make her fourth defense of her title against HANAKO.

HANAKO, who is one half of the New Blood Tag Team Champions, earned this opportunity when she won the Pre-Show Rumble match at Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom 2025. Starlight Kid definitely has a tough challenge lying ahead as HANAKO is a full 31 centimeters taller that her. Kid stands at 4 foot 11 inches tall while HANAKO is 5 foot 11 inches in height.

Starlight Kid spoke with Tokyo Sports recently and commented on that despite the size HANAKO possesses, she hasn’t been able to utilize that advantage to achieve success in singles matches.

From Starlight Kid:

“She [HANAKO] has not been able to make use of her size as a weapon, so she gives the strong impression of being just a big person trying hard to speak in a thick Kansai dialect. That’s why I want HANAKO to show more of the strength she has, and instill fear. But even so, the current me is strong, so I won’t lose.”

Starlight Kid indicated that she doesn’t like the notion from people that smaller competitors aren’t able to beat larger opponents. To make her point, she order a 1 kg steak at a restaurant and quickly ate it much like a larger person would. She vowed to turn the pro-wrestling industry upside down.

From Starlight Kid:

“I don’t like the image that small people can’t beat bigger opponents, so I want to change that in this title defense. This meat is to give me the power to do that. I can eat this all in one go. Now that I’ve gathered up my strength, I’m going to throw HANAKO around. I’m going to turn the industry upside down.”

The record for the most Wonder of STARDOM title defenses is currently held by Saya Kamitani. She held the White Belt for 480 days and made 15 straight successful defenses before being dethroned for the championship.

Starlight Kid has set a goal for herself to break Kamitani’s record. She stated she is even dreaming big and hopes for 100 straight successful title defenses.

From Starlight Kid:

“After each title defense, I’ve been increasing the number of roses I give to my opponents, and this time it will be four. I’d like to surpass the record of 15 title defenses, of course. But I’m dreaming big and aiming for 100 roses!”

While accomplishing 100 straight Wonder of STARDOM Title match victories seems very unlikely, breaking the record of 15 title defenses is a possibility for Starlight Kid. If she defeats HANAKO on May 21st, she will only have 11 more to go. Of course, it won’t be easy as there are numerous potentially tough challengers that would love to wear the coveted White Belt. All Starlight Kid can do is take it one title defense at a time as she works toward reaching her record breaking goal.

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