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Unagi Sayaka

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In thisJapanese name,thesurnameisUnagi.
Unagi Sayaka
Sayaka in 2023
Birth nameHimawari Unagi
Born(1989-09-02)September 2, 1989(age 34)[1]
Toyonaka, Osaka,Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Himawari Unagi
  • Ichigo Sayaka[2]
  • Sayaka Unagi
  • Unagi Sayaka[3]
Billed height168 cm (5 ft 6 in)[4]
Billed weight54 kg (119 lb)
Trained byTokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling[5]
Debut2019[1]

Unagi Sayaka(ウナギ・サヤカ,Sayaka Unagi,born September 2, 1989)[3][4]is aJapaneseprofessional wrestlercurrently working as a freelancer. She is best known for her time withWorld Wonder Ring Stardom,where she is a formerArtist of StardomandFuture of Stardom Champion.[6]In the Japanese independent scene, she worked for promotions such asTokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling(TJPW),All Japan Pro-Wrestling(AJPW),Gleat,Marvelous,Pro Wrestling Zero1andDiana.

Professional wrestling career[edit]

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (2019–2020)[edit]

Unagi made herprofessional wrestlingdebut under the name Himawari Unagi on January 4 at the TJPW Tokyo Joshi Pro '19 show by teaming up withSaki Akaito face the team of Yumi andYuki Kamifuku.[7]During her tenure withTokyo Joshi Pro Wrestlingshe fought as a singles wrestler and competed against other well-known wrestlers such asYuka Sakazakiat TJP Pinano Pipipipi Graduation Special on April 5, 2019,[8]Maki Itohat TJPW Tokyo Princess Cup on August 8, 2020,[9]orMiyu Yamashita.[10]

Unagi, like many TJPW wrestlers, has also wrestled for parent promotionDDT Pro-Wrestling,and has appeared atDDT Peter Pan,making her first appearance atWrestle Peter Pan 2019on July 15, where she teamed up withNatsumi MakiandYuna Manasein a losing effort toRika Tatsumiand The Bakuretsu Sisters (Nodoka TenmaandYuki Aino).[11]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2020–2022)[edit]

Unagi debuted inWorld Wonder Ring Stardomon November 14, 2020, at the Korakuen New Landscape Event teaming up withTam NakanoandMina Shirakawa,as the newest member ofCosmic Angels,defeating Stars (Gokigen Death,Mayu IwataniandStarlight Kid).[12]She began her tenure with Stardom as a tag team wrestler, and worked against different stables such asDonna Del Mondo(Himeka,MaikaandNatsupoi)[13]andQueen's Quest(Momo WatanabeandSaya Kamitani). On December 16, at Road To Osaka Dream Cinderella, Cosmic Angels defeatedOedo Tai(Bea Priestley,Natsuko ToraandSaki Kashima), to win Unagi's first title of her career, theArtist of Stardom Championship.[14]AtStardom Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020on December 20, they scored their successful title defense against Stars (Gokigen Death, Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Kid).[15]

AtStardom 10th Anniversary Showon January 17, 2021, Unagi unsuccessfully challengedSaya Iidafor theFuture of Stardom Championship.[16]On March 3, 2021, atAll Star Dream Cinderella,Unagi won a24-person All-Star Rumblefeaturing wrestlers from the promotion's past, such asChigusa Nagayo,Kyoko Inoue,Yoko BitoandYuzuki Aikawa.[17]AtStardom Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021on April 4, Unagi fell short to Saya Kamitani in asingles match.[18]On the first night of theStardom Cinderella Tournament 2021from April 10, she defeated Natsuko Tora in a Cinderella Tournament First-round match.[19]In theStardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2021she fought in the Block B and scored a total of nine points after competing againstSyuri,Saya Kamitani,Takumi Iroha,Konami,Utami Hayashishita,Tam Nakano,Maika,AZMandRuaka.[20]AtStardom 10th Anniversary Grand Final Osaka Dream Cinderellaon October 9, 2021, she dropped theFuture of Stardom Championshipto Ruaka.[21]Unagi participated in theStardom Super Warstrilogy of events, making her first appearance on November 3, 2021, at Kawasaki Super Wars where she unsuccessfully challenged stablemate Tam Nakano for theWonder of Stardom Championship.[22]At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, she teamed up with Lady C in a losing effort against AZM and Momo Watanabe.[23]At Osaka Super Wars, the last event of the trilogy which took place on December 18, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Tam Nakano in a losing effort against Mayu Iwatani,HazukiandKogumain aSix-woman tag team matchas part of a¥10 Million Unit tournament.[24]AtStardom Dream Queendomon December 29, 2021, Unagi teamed up withMai Sakuraiand Mina Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challengeMaiHimePoi(Maika,NatsupoiandHimeka) for theArtist of Stardom Championship.[25]

Unagi on the second night of theStardom World Climax 2022from March 27.

AtStardom Nagoya Supreme Fighton January 29, 2022, Unagi unsuccessfully challenged Saya Kamitani for theWonder of Stardom Championship.[26]AtStardom Cinderella Journeyon February 23, 2020, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challengeFWC(Hazuki and Koguma) for theGoddesses of Stardom Championship.[27]AtStardom New Blood 1on March 11, 2022, she teamed up with Waka Tsukiyama in a losing effort against Marvelous (Mariaand Ai Houzan).[28]On the first night of theStardom World Climax 2022from March 26, Unagi teamed up with Tam Nakano to unsuccessfully face Mayu Iwatani and a returningKairi.[29]On the second night from March 27, she participated in a18-women Cinderella Rumble matchwon byMei Surugaand also involving various wrestlers from other pronotions such asTomoka Inaba,Aoi,Haruka Umesaki,Nanami, Yuna Mizumori and others from Stardom.[30]Unagi made it to the second rounds in theStardom Cinderella Tournament 2022where she was defeated by Natsupoi on April 10.[31]AtStardom Golden Week Fight Touron May 5, 2022, Unagi teamed up with Tam Nakano and Mina Shirakawa to defeatQueen's Quest's Utami Hayashishita, AZM &Lady C.[32]AtStardom New Blood 2on May 13, 2022, she teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Haruka Umesaki to defeatYoungOED(Starlight Kid,Ruaka andRina).[33]AtStardom Flashing Championson May 28, 2022, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa andWaka Tsukiyama,falling short toProminence(Suzu Suzuki,Akane FujitaandMochi Natsumi).[34]AtStardom Fight in the Topon June 26, 2022, she fought in athree-way matchwon by Ruaka and also involving Lady C.[35]AtStardom New Blood 3on July 8, 2022, she teamed up with Mina Shirakawa, Yuko Sakurai and Rina Amikura in a losing effort against Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid, Ruaka & Rina) andHaruka Umesaki.[36]AtMid Summer Champions in Tokyo,the first event of theStardom Mid Summer Championsseries which took place on July 9, 2022, she teamed up with Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa, Saki and Hikari Shimizu to defeatDonna Del Mondo(Giulia, Maika, Himeka, Natsupoi and Mai Sakurai).[37]AtMid Summer Champions in Nagoyaon July 24, she teamed up again with Shirakawa and Shimizu, this time in athree-way matchwon byProminence(Risa Sera,Hiragi KurumiandSuzu Suzuki), and also involvingQueen's Quest(Lady C, Hina andMiyu Amasaki).[38]AtStardom in Showcase vol.1on July 23, 2022, Unagi competed in a comedicCosmic rules three-way matchin which she battled Saki and Mina Shirakawa into a no-contest.[39]AtStardom in Showcase vol.2on September 25, 2022, she competed in another match of its kind, this time by teaming up with Shirakawa against Saki and Hikari Shimizu, and Tam Nakano and Natsupoi. The match result was again a no contest.[40]AtStardom x Stardom: Nagoya Midsummer Encounteron August 21, 2022, she teamed up with Saki an Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challenge Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid and Saki Kashima for theArtist of Stardom Championship.[41]At theStardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2022,Unagi fought in the "Red Stars" block, scoring only four points after competing against Tam Nakao, Himeka, Maika,Risa Sera,AZM, Utami Hayashishita, Koguma, Syuri, Saki Kashima, Saki, Mai Sakura and Momo Kohgo.[42]Sayaka Unagi announced on October 4, 2022, that she has become a temporal free agent. However, Unagi stated that she would remain a member ofCosmic Angels.[43]It was reported that Unagi was however still signed to the company as she was only on an unpaid hiatus. She returned for a one night only show, theStardom in Showcase vol.3from November 26, 2022, where she teamed up with Tam Nakano and Natsupoi in a losing effort againstProminence(Hiragi Kurumi,Risa SeraandSuzu Suzuki) as a result of aSix-Woman Hardcore Tag Team Match.[44]

Freelancing (2022–present)[edit]

Sayaka in May 2023

After taking a break from Stardom to start a freelance period, Unagi began wandering theJapanese independent circuit.She made her debut inProfessional Wrestling Just Tap Outon October 7, 2022, where she defeatedAoi.She was involved in a storyline withTomoka Inabaas she challenged her for theQueen of JTO Championship.[45]Unagi competed forMarvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling's vacantAAAW Single Championshipin a tournament on December 4, 2022, also involvingTomoko Watanabe,Rin Kadokura,Mio Momono,Ai Houzan,Queen Aminata,Maria,Riko Kawahata,Chikayo NagashimaandYuna Manase.She came out unsuccessfully in the process.[46]She took part in the 2023 edition ofPro Wrestling Zero1'sFire Festival,becoming the first ever female competitor of the tournament and placing herself in the A block where she facedTakuya Sugawara,Junya Matsunaga,Mizuki Watase,Yuko MiyamotoandMasato Tanaka.[47]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Sayaka as the bothIronman Heavymetalweight Championand Kitsune World Champion in 2024

References[edit]

  1. ^abKreikenbohm, Philip."Unagi Sayaka/Career Data".cagematch.de(in German).RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  2. ^Ross, Jamie (September 1, 2023)."Sukeban, New NYC-Based Joshi Promotion Set to Hold First Event on September 21st, Full Roster Revealed".WrestlePurists.Archivedfrom the original on September 5, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 9,2023.
  3. ^abウナギ・サヤカ.World Wonder Ring Stardom(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 11,2021.
  4. ^abSaalbach, Axel."Unagi Sayaka • General Information".wrestlingdata.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  5. ^"Joshi Wrestler Profiles - Unagi Sayaka".joshicity.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  6. ^"Unagi Sayaka Profile & Match Listing".profightdb.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  7. ^"Tjp Tokyo Joshi Pro '19".metareel.com.January 3, 2019.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  8. ^Source Of Wrestling Releases (April 6, 2019)."WOMEN WRESTLING TJPW.Pinano.Pipipipi.Graduation.Special.2019.04.05 DDT.Universe".wrestling-home.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  9. ^Glacier, Robert (July 23, 2020)."Tokyo Princess Cup Participants Announced".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedAugust 8,2020.
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  11. ^DDT Pro-Wrestling(July 15, 2019)."Wrestle Peter Pan 2019".ddtpro.com(in Japanese).RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  12. ^Richards, Alex (November 14, 2020)."Unagi Sayaka Debuts, New Champions Crowned At Stardom Show".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  13. ^We Are Stardom (November 25, 2020)."Sunday November 29 is in Morioka!".twitter.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  14. ^Richards, Alex (December 16, 2020)."#AndNEW: Cosmic Angels Win Artist Of Stardom Championships".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
  15. ^Richards, Alex (December 20, 2020)."Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella News Roundup (12/20/20)".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedApril 5,2021.
  16. ^Duffy, John (January 18, 2021)."Utami and Giulia successfully retain at STARDOM's 10th Anniversary show".diva-dirt.com.RetrievedApril 28,2022.
  17. ^abPollock, John (March 3, 2021)."Tam Nakano wins Wonder of Stardom Championship from Giulia".postwrestling.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2021.
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  20. ^Richards, Alex (July 4, 2021)."Stardom Announces 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Lineup".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedJuly 5,2021.
  21. ^"2021 niên 10 nguyệt 9 nhật 『10th Anniversary GRAND FINAL OSAKA DREAM CINDERELLA 2021 ～ đại phản めっちゃスターダム～』".World Wonder Ring Stardom.October 9, 2021.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  22. ^"2021 niên 11 nguyệt 3 nhật 『KAWASAKI SUPER WARS ～ xuyên kỳ siêu nữ đại chiến ～』".World Wonder Ring Stardom.November 4, 2021.RetrievedNovember 4,2021.
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  25. ^Rose, Bryan (December 29, 2021)."NEW WORLD OF STARDOM CHAMPION CROWNED AT DREAM QUEENDOM".f4wonline.com.RetrievedDecember 29,2021.
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  27. ^Peterson, Karen (February 23, 2022)."STARDOM Cinderella Journey Nagaoka: Saya Kamitani vs. Natsupoi, AZM vs. Starlight Kid".postwrestling.com.RetrievedFebruary 24,2022.
  28. ^Richards, Alex (March 11, 2022)."Miyu Amasaki Joins Queen's Quest".lastwordonsports.com.RetrievedMarch 11,2022.
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  30. ^Lambert, Jeremy (March 27, 2022)."STARDOM World Climax 2022: The Top Results (3/27): KAIRI vs. Starlight Kid, Syuri vs. Mayu Iwatani".fightful.com.RetrievedMarch 27,2022.
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  33. ^Tokyo Sports (May 13, 2022).【スターダム】 xích の vương giả ・ chu lí が thế la の bạo hành でＫＯ cao tiếu いの thế la は “Đồng じ mục に hợp わせてやるからな!”.tokyo-sports.co.jp.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
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External links[edit]

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