is a Japanese

professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

signed to Dream Star Fighting Marigold where she is the current Marigold United National Champion in her first reign. She is also known for her time in

World Wonder Ring Stardom , is a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' or women's professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan. Stardom was founded in September 2010 by former All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) co-producer Ross ...

, where she is a former Artist of Stardom Champion and a former member of Donna Del Mondo.

Professional wrestling career

Actwres girl'Z (2020–2021)

Sakurai made her

professional wrestling Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...

debut at an Actwres girl'Z show on February 11, 2020, where she lost to Miku Aono.

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2021–2024)

Cosmic Angels (2021-2022)

Sakurai made her debut in

on August 13, 2021, when she unsuccessfully challenged Unagi Sayaka for the Future of Stardom Championship. After the match, Sakurai was presented as the newest member of Cosmic Angels and was announced to undergo a newcomer challenge against ten opponents. At Osaka Dream Cinderella on October 9, Sakurai teamed up with Mina Shirakawa in a losing effort against Rin Kadokura and Maria. Due to Unagi Sayaka and Mina Shirakawa feeling underappreciated by the leader

Tam Nakano , better known by her ring name is a Japanese singer, former idol, dancer, and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was the leader of the Cosmic Angels stable. Nakano began her ca ...

and doubting Sakurai and

Waka Tsukiyama is an American-born Japanese professional wrestler. She works for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of Empress Nexus Venus. Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2020–2021) Tsukiyama competed in the 2021 edition o ...

, tensions were raised within Cosmic Angels throughout November, which led to inner-stable clashes. At Kawasaki Super Wars on November 3, Sakurai defeated Waka Tsukiyama in a match in which had Sakurai would have to leave Cosmic Angels if she lost. At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, Sakurai unsuccessfully challenged Ruaka and Waka Tsukiyama in a

three-way match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a storyline. ...

for the Future of Stardom Championship. Sakurai competed in the 2021 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, where she teamed up with Unagi Sayaka and scored a total of four points. At Dream Queendom on December 29, Sakurai teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Unagi Sayaka to unsuccessfully challenge MaiHimePoi in a six-woman tag team match for the

Artist of Stardom Championship The is a professional wrestling Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches, six-woman tag team Championship (professional wrestling), championship owned by World Wonder Ring Stardom. The title was first announced dur ...

Donna Del Mondo (2022-2024)

After teaming up with her Cosmic Angels stablemates,

and Unagi Sayaka, in a losing effort against Donna Del Mondo ( Giulia, Thekla and Mirai) on February 12, 2022, Sakurai decided to leave Cosmic Angels and join Donna Del Mondo, stating that she wanted to wrestle instead of just dancing. On May 27, 2023, at Flashing Champions 2023, Sakurai, Giulia and Thekla, together known as the Baribari Bombers, defeated REStart to win the

. At New Years Stars 2024 on January 3, 2024, Baribari Bombers participated in the 2024 Triangle Derby. After reaching the finals and deciding to defend the Artist of Stardom Championship, they lost the match and titles to Abarenbo GE.

Dream Star Fighting Marigold (2024–present)

On April 15, 2024, former Stardom executive producer Rossy Ogawa, held a press conference to announce his new promotion Dream Star Fighting Marigold, with Sakurai being one of the initial roster members. On May 20, during Marigold's first event Fields Forever, Sakurai teamed with Zayda Steel to face Nagisa Nozaki and Myla Grace in a match that ended in a time limit draw. On July 30, Sakurai and Mirai became the inaugural Marigold Twin Star Champions. On December 13, during night two of the Winter Wonderful Fight event, they lost the titles to Dark Wolf Army ( Nagisa Nozaki and Chiaki), ending their reign at 174 days. On January 3, 2025, at First Dream, Sakurai defeated Miku Aono to win the Marigold United National Championship.

Championships and accomplishments

* Dream Star Fighting Marigold ** Marigold United National Championship ( 1 time, current) ** Marigold Twin Star Championship ( 1 time, inaugural) – with Mirai ** Marigold Twin Star Championship Tournament (2024) – with Mirai ** Marigold Year-End Award (1 time) *** Best Tag Team Award (2024) – with Mirai *''

Pro Wrestling Illustrated ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...

'' ** Ranked No. 216 of the top 250 female wrestlers in the '' PWI Women's 250'' in 2024 *

( 1 time) – with Giulia and Thekla

References

External links

Mai Sakurai's

profile * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sakurai, Mai 1990 births Living people Japanese female professional wrestlers Sportspeople from Chiba (city) Professional wrestlers from Chiba Prefecture 21st-century female professional wrestlers 21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers Artist of Stardom Champions Marigold Twin Star Champions Marigold United National Champions