JPN
At "STARDOM in FUJI 2026 Jul." held at Fujisan Messe in Shizuoka on July 11th (Saturday), local fighter Kian Furusawa earned the right to participate in "Summy presents STARDOM 5★STAR GP 2026" (opening on July 18th in Ota Ward)
In the qualifying round to determine the next participant, Furusawa faced Ema Mashima. Furusawa had advanced by winning her first-round match against Matoi Hamabe in Imabari on July 4th, while Mashima had a bye in the first round. Moreover, Mashima was the opponent Furusawa lost to in the final of the "Rookie of Stardom 2026" this spring, making this a match for Furusawa to get revenge
The match began with a back-and-forth battle, but Furusawa attacked with three consecutive dropkicks followed by his signature ankle lock. Shima fought back, and a total of 43 elbows were exchanged
Just over five minutes in, he was caught in a reverse Boston crab in the center of the ring, putting him in a very dangerous situation. Even when he escaped to the ropes, he was brought back to the center of the ring and attacked again with a single reverse Boston crab. He was then subjected to a standing sling blade
But he wouldn't let her use her signature Sling Blade. He immobilized her with an ankle lock, then, at the crucial moment, locked in a leg-lock style ankle hold. He squeezed with all his might, finally forcing his rival from the same generation to tap out
With this, Furusawa's first appearance at 5★STAR has been confirmed, and all members of the Ito Respect Group, including Ito Maki and Rian, have now secured their spots. Furusawa vowed, "I've earned a 5★STAR spot in my hometown of Fuji! Being able to participate isn't something to be taken for granted, so I'll do my best to become an even hotter Furusawa Kian than this hot summer."
Meanwhile, the defeated Mashima gritted her teeth and said, "I thought summer was about to begin. But before it even started, my summer ended. I've played singles with Kian five times now. I've always won until now. I don't want to admit it, and it's frustrating, but Furusawa Kian was strong today. I haven't even been able to participate in 5★STAR last year or this year. All my classmates are moving forward one after another. But I will become stronger in my own way, in ways other than participating in 5★STAR."