JPN
The semi-finals of the "Cinderella Tournament 2026" were held on the 15th at the Yokohama Budokan, with Hanan and Rina advancing to the championship match on the same day
In the first match of the semi-finals, Sakura Aya, who had reached the top four for the first time, faced Hanan, who was aiming for her first championship in two years. She unleashed her signature middle kicks without hesitation and caught Hanan in a triangle choke, but Hanan managed to escape to the ropes at the last moment. After 10 minutes, she landed a German suplex after a high kick, but still couldn't finish her off, and in the end, she was defeated by a back drop followed by a rock drop hold
Backstage after the match, Sakura desperately wiped away her tears, saying, "It would be uncool to cry every time, but the tears just keep welling up on their own... It's because I've been able to face pro wrestling and the Cinderella T-shirt with such intensity."
She then added, "I'll be able to perform again next year, right? I'll be 30 next year, but there were a lot of people in their 30s this year. I won't give up on being a Cinderella in my 30s. It will be my 3rd anniversary since my debut on March 25th. I've already decided on the matches I want to perform at NEW BLOOD30 (March 25th, Shinkiba 1stRING, Tokyo). I'll be watching the future closely from here on out," she said, looking straight ahead with determination
In the other semi-final match, Mitsuki Amasaki, aiming for her first championship, faced Rina. The match was immediately taken outside the ring, putting her in a difficult position from the start. Her right arm was targeted, causing her to show signs of pain. She then retaliated with an elbow strike with her left arm followed by a modified DDT, but she couldn't seize a decisive opportunity. Just over 13 minutes into the match, she was caught in Rina's Hydrangea and suffered a heartbreaking defeat
"I was just one step away from becoming Cinderella. I won the Future Championship once and I thought I had the belt. Just when I thought I had caught up, she was ahead again. I hate myself for always chasing after her. But I'm not going to be a sore loser, and if I can't reach her, I'll just fly higher and higher. Please continue to have high expectations for me."
Although she didn't make it to the championship match, she defeated veteran Rina Yamashita, senior Saya Iida, and Hinami, whom she lost to in the Future Championship match about a year ago, one after another in this tournament. It's undeniable that she left a significant mark. With confidence in her heart, where will Tensaki go next?