Sayaka Kurara (玖麗 さやか, Kurara Sayaka; born June 20, 2000) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is one-half of the current New Blood Tag Team Champions in her first reign and is a member of the Cosmic Angels stable. She is a former World of Stardom Champion.

Early life

Sayaka Kurara was born in Toyohashi, Japan on June 20, 2000.[3]

Professional wrestling career

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2023–present)

Early career (2023–2024)

In March 2023, Kurara joined World Wonder Ring Stardom as a trainee. She made her official in-ring debut at New Blood 12 on December 25, 2023, where she faced Saya Kamitani.[4] At Dream Queendom 2023 on December 29, she teamed up with Hanako and Ranna Yagami in a losing effort against Yuzuki, Miyu Amasaki, and Azusa Inaba.[5]

At Stardom New Year Stars 2024 on January 3, she participated in the Rookie of the Year tournament, but lost against Hanako in the first round.[6] One night later at Ittenyon Stardom Gate on January 4, 2024, she teamed up with Queen's Quest (Lady C and Hina) in a losing effort against Yuzuki, Hanako, and Yagami.[7] On February 12, 2024, Kurara teamed with Mei Seira in a losing effort against Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano and Yuna Mizumori).[8] After the bout, Kurara ended up as a Cosmic Angels apprentice after Mizumori and Nakano accepted her request.[9] After being winless for two months, she entered the Cinderella Tournament 2024.[10] On March 8, 2024, She won against Natsuko Tora in the first round after a disqualification, making it her first ever win.[11] Unfortunately, she was eliminated by AZM in the second round on March 16, 2024.[12] On March 30, 2024, Kurara faced Aya Sakura in a time-limit draw.[13]

Cosmic Angels (2024–present)

On April 12, 2024, Kurara teamed up with Sakura and Mizumori in a losing effort against Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Saori Anou, and Natsupoi). After the bout, Kurara and Sakura became official members of the unit after Nakano accepted both apprentices.[14] At All Star Grand Queendom 2024, Kurara unsuccessfully challenged Rina for the Future of Stardom Championship in her first attempt.[15] On June 21, 2024, Sakurara (Sakura and Kurara) lost against wing★gori (Hanan and Saya Iida) for the New Blood Tag Team Championship at New Blood 13.[16] On July 27, Kurara was defeated by her Cosmic Angels stablemate, Tam Nakano on night 1 of Stardom Sapporo World Rendezvous.[17] On September 28, 2024, Kurara teamed up with Tam Nakano and Saori Anou to defeat H.A.T.E. (Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, and Ruaka).[18] On September 29, 2024, Kurara defeated Soy at New Blood 15.[19] During the 2024 edition of the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, Kurara teamed up with Nakano as Tokimeki Purin a la Mode and scored only 6 points, being unable to advance.[20] At Year-End X'Mas Night, Kurara would then fail to capture the Future of Stardom Championship against Miyu Amasaki on her second attempt.[21]

Kurara (right) black and white attire was assumed to be aspired by her mentor, Tam Nakano (left) panda attire in 2018-2019.

On Stardom New Year Dream, Kurara alongside Natsupoi and Saori Anou defeated Vulgar Alliance (Dump Matsumoto and Zap) and Natsuko Tora.[22] At Stardom New Year Stars in Korakuen, Kurara alongside Aya Sakura and Yuna Mizumori unsuccessfully challenged their Cosmic Angels seniors Tam Nakano, Natsupoi, and Saori Anou for the Artist of Stardom Championship in a Cosmic Angels collison.[23] On March 15, 2025, Kurara won the Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2025 after defeating Rina in the finals, but kept her wish a secret.[24] At Stardom All Star Grand Queendom 2025, she defeated Thekla in Thekla's final match in the company.[25] In a post-match interview she signalled her intent to challenge for the World of Stardom Championship as part of her Cinderella Tournament winner's wish. On May 10, 2025, Kurara failed to capture the World of Stardom Championship from Kamitani at Korakuen hall.[26] At Stardom Sapporo World Rendezvous 2025, Kurara unsuccessfully challenged Hina for the Future of Stardom Championship on her third attempt.[27] On October 30, 2025, Sakurara (Sakura and Kurara) won the New Blood Tag Team Championships by defeating Rice or Bread (Waka Tsukiyama and Hanako) at New Blood 26.[28] On November 30, 2025, Kurara won the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League with Sakura after defeating BMI2000 (Natsuko Tora and Ruaka) in the finals, which makes Kurara the fifth women to win both the Cinderella and Tag League in the same year (with the others being Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe, Arisa Hoshiki, and Hanan).[29] Afterwards, Kurara and Sakura would lose against Tora and Ruaka for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship at Stardom Dream Queendom 2025.[30]

On February 2, 2026, Sakurara (Sakura and Kurara) defeated Yuna Mizumori and Anne Kanaya to retain their titles at Stardom New Blood 28.[31] On March 15, 2026, Kurara and Natsupoi defeated H.A.T.E. (Saya Kamitani and Konami).[32] After the match, Kurara announced that she would put the faction on the line for Kamitani’s World of Stardom Championship at All Star Grand Queendom 2026.[33] On April 26, 2026, Kurara won the World of Stardom Championship by defeating Kamitani at All Star Grand Queendom 2026, saving her faction from disbandment.[34] At The Conversion 2026, Kurara would lose the World of Stardom Championship to Suzu Suzuki at The Conversion, ending her reign at 55 days.[35]

Championships and accomplishments

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Tam Nakano's Journey to Dream Queendom 2024". Dropkickmedia.wordpress.com. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Kamitani, Saya (2026). アイドルで落ちこぼれだった私がプロレス界のセンターに立った話. Tokyo: KADOKAWA. ISBN 9784046078681.
  3. ↑ "sayaka-kurara-wrestler-profile". joshicity.com. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ "「私と出会ったたくさんの人を幸せにしたい」夢と希望に満ちたスターダムの新人・玖麗さやかがデビュー！". battle-news.com (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Edwards, Scott (December 29, 2023). "Stardom Dream Queendom 2023 Results (12/29/23): Suzu Suzuki vs. Maika, More". Fightful. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy (January 3, 2024). "STARDOM NEW YEAR STARS 2024 Results: New Artists of Stardom Champions Crowned, More". 411Mania. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  7. ↑ Edwards, Scott (January 4, 2023). "STARDOM Ittenyon Stardom Gate 2024 Results (1/4/24): Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ "STARDOM In Toyohashi Results & Notes February 12, 2024". Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Sayaka Kurara is ready to join Cosmic Angels, but first she must be an apprentice of the group". Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  10. ↑ Gonzale, Troy (February 20, 2024). "STARDOM Announces Full Cinderella Tournament 2024 Lineup". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ Richards, Alex (March 10, 2024). "STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Opening Round (March 9) Results & Review". voicesofwrestling. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  12. ↑ Gonzales, Troy (March 16, 2024). "STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Day 3 Results (3/16/24)". yahoo. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ "STARDOM Results (3/30/24):Goddesses, Artists Belts Change Hands". fightful.com. March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  14. ↑ "4/12【スターダム】さくらと玖麗の奮闘にたむ「合格!」 Cosmic Angels に正式加入…". dx-sp.gsj.bz (in Japanese). Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  15. ↑ Edwards, Scott (April 27, 2024). "Stardom All Star Grand Queendom 2024 Results (4/27/24): Maika vs. Momo Watanabe". Fightful. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  16. ↑ Black, Ethan (June 21, 2024). "Stardom New Blood 13 2024 Results". bodyslam.net. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  17. ↑ Richards, Alex (July 27, 2024). "STARDOM SAPPORO RENDEZVOUS THE WONDER (JULY 27) & THE WORLD (JULY 28) RESULTS & REVIEWS". Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  18. ↑ Black, Ethan (September 28, 2024). "8/28 Stardom In Korkuen Hall Results – September 28, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  19. ↑ Black, Ethan (September 29, 2024). "Stardom New Blood 15 Results (September 29, 2024)". bodyslam.net. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  20. ↑ Black, Ethan (November 30, 2024). "Stardom Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Night 14 Results – November 30, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  21. ↑ Pantoja, Kevin (December 24, 2024). "Pantoja's Stardom Year-End X'Mas Night Review 12.24.24". 411Mania. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  22. ↑ Pantoja, Kevin (January 3, 2025). "Pantoja's Stardom New Year Dream Review 1.3.25". 411mania.com.
  23. ↑ Heltfield, James (January 13, 2025). "Stardom New Year Stars Day 2 Results – January 13, 2025". Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (March 15, 2025). "Sayaka Kurara wins 2025 Stardom Cinderella tournament". POSTWrestling. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  25. ↑ Thomas, Jeremy (April 27, 2025). "Thekla Reportedly Done With Stardom, Headed To US". 411Mania. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  26. ↑ Hetfield, James (May 10, 2025). "Stardom Korakuen Hall 5/10 results". pwmania.com. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  27. ↑ Pantoja, Kevin (July 22, 2025). "Pantoja's STARDOM Sapporo World Rendezvous 2025 Review". 411mania.com. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  28. ↑ Rubio, Antonio (October 30, 2025). "STARDOM NEW BLOOD 26 results". solowrestling.com. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  29. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (November 30, 2025). "Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurara Win 2025 Godddesses of Stardom Tag League Tournament". fightful.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  30. ↑ Pantoja, Kevin (December 30, 2025). "Pantoja's Stardom Dream Queendom 2025 Review 12.24.24". 411Mania. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  31. ↑ Leatherland, Noah (February 3, 2026). "Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara Retain Tag Titles at STARDOM New Blood 28". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  32. ↑ Carlan, Lewis (March 15, 2026). "CINDERELLA TOURNAMENT 2026, Picks The Title She Will Challenge For". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  33. ↑ Carlan, Lewis (March 15, 2026). "Existence On The Line Against Saya Kamitani's World of STARDOM Title". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  34. ↑ Carlan, Lewis (April 26, 2026). "Sayaka Kurara Becomes The New World of Stardom Championship At ALL STAR GRAND QUEENDOM 2026". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  35. ↑ Leatherland, Noah (June 20, 2026). "Suzu Suzuki Wins World of Stardom Title at STARDOM THE CONVERSION". Monthly Puroresu. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  36. ↑ Ross, Patrick (November 11, 2025). "Full 2025 PWI Women's 250 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  37. ↑ Rubio, Antonio (October 30, 2025). "STARDOM NEW BLOOD 26 results". solowrestling.com. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  38. ↑ Carlan, Lewis (April 26, 2026). "Sayaka Kurara Becomes The New World of Stardom Championship At ALL STAR GRAND QUEENDOM 2026". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  39. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (March 15, 2025). "Sayaka Kurara wins 2025 Stardom Cinderella tournament". POSTWrestling. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  40. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (November 30, 2025). "Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurara Win 2025 Godddesses of Stardom Tag League Tournament". fightful.com. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  41. ↑ "🏆STARDOM AWARD 2024🏆". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 26, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025 – via x.com.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayaka_Kurara