Mai Sakurai has confirmed she is leaving Dream Star Fighting Marigold, with her final match for the promotion scheduled for October 24. Sakurai addressed the decision directly with reporters, according to Tokyo Sports, and indicated that her time away from the ring will not be brief.
Speaking to the assembled media, Sakurai said she intends to take a break from professional wrestling once her Marigold run concludes. She made clear that fans should not expect a quick return, telling reporters she will not be back anytime soon.
The announcement marks a significant departure for Marigold, the Japanese women’s promotion that has built its roster around a mix of established and rising talent since its launch. Sakurai’s exit removes a familiar name from the promotion’s lineup ahead of what will stand as her farewell appearance on October 24.
According to the Fightful report, Sakurai disclosed at least one factor behind her decision to step away, though the full scope of her reasoning was not detailed beyond what she shared with reporters covering the story. No further information has been made available regarding what led to the choice to leave the company or take an extended hiatus from competing.
With her final match date already set, attention within Marigold and the broader Japanese wrestling scene will likely turn to how the promotion fills the gap left by her departure, and whether any kind of send-off or tribute is planned for her last outing. As of now, no details have been confirmed about the nature of that October 24 match beyond its billing as Sakurai’s farewell to the promotion.
Sakurai’s comments leave open the question of whether she will return to professional wrestling in any capacity down the line, but her own words to reporters suggest fans should not anticipate that happening in the near future. WAW will continue to follow developments as Marigold approaches the October 24 show and any additional statements from Sakurai or the promotion.
