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Fuka Kakimoto

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Fuka Kakimoto (柿本 風香, Kakimoto Fūka, born August 20, 1984)[5][3][4] is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and model better known simply as Fuka (風香, Fūka) (pronounced and sometimes transliterated as "Fuuka"), she is currently working for Dream Star Fighting Marigold (Marigold) as an assistant producer.

She was trained by JDStar as part of the promotion's "Athtress" program and made her debut in February 2004, quickly garnering a large fan following. From 2005 to 2006, Fuka also fought three mixed martial arts fights, finishing with a record of two wins and one loss. During her years in JDStar, Fuka became the inaugural Princess of Pro-Wrestling (POP) Champion and also held the Princess of Ketsudeka (POK) and TWF World Tag Team Championships. After the promotion folded in July 2007, Fuka became a freelancer, while also starting to promote her own series of independent wrestling events under the banner of Fuka Matsuri ("Fuka Festival"). As a freelancer, Fuka also made several trips to Mexico, working for local independent promotions. Fuka ended her in-ring career in March 2010 at the age of 25, after which she began training wrestlers for the newly founded World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion. When Stardom was officially announced the following September, Fuka was appointed the General Manager of the promotion, a role she has held since. Her older brother, Daichi, is also a professional wrestler, most notably working for Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) between 2003 and 2014,[7] and her father Masahide and oldest brother Genki have also made appearances in wrestling matches involving her.[8]

Professional wrestling career[]

JDStar (2004–2007)[]

Kakimoto received her training in professional wrestling at the dojo of the JDStar promotion, being part of the last batch of women to go through the promotion's "Athtress" program, which aimed at building physically attractive women into not only professional wrestlers, but also mainstream celebrities.[5][9][10] Kakimoto, working just as "Fuka", made her debut on February 29, 2004, teaming with Kyusei Ninja Ranmaru in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Kazuki and Tomoya.[5] Fuka's career started with a long losing streak, which earned her the nickname "Haru Urara of Women's Professional Wrestling", after a Japanese racehorse that gained popularity due to a long string of consecutive losses.[3] Similarly, Fuka also quickly gathered a large fan following, especially among men.[5] Her popularity also earned her a spot on an event held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, which normally did not promote women's wrestling matches, losing to Keiko Saito in a singles match on August 7, 2005.[11]

In February 2006, JDStar announced that Fuka had finished her training and was now a full-fledged member of the promotion's roster.[5] The following April, Fuka entered the League Princess tournament, set to determine the inaugural Princess of Pro-Wrestling (POP) Champion.[12] After three wins, one loss and one draw, Fuka advanced to the semifinals of the tournament, where she, on June 24, defeated Ayumi Kurihara.[13] Later that same event, she defeated Natsuki☆Head in the finals to become the 2006 League Princess and the inaugural Princess of Pro-Wrestling Champion.[13] Fuka made her first successful title defense a month later on July 23, when she defeated Kaientai Dojo representative Bambi.[14] During the rest of the year, she made three more successful defenses, defeating Mai Ichii on October 22, Yuri Urai on November 5, and Caribbean Rum on December 3.[15] On June 23, Fuka also made an appearance at a special event produced by Último Dragón, during which she entered the Dragon Mixture tournament, a one-night, single-elimination tournament, during which the number of participants in each team was reduced as the tournament progressed. In the first round, Fuka teamed with her brother Daichi, Kota Ibushi and Seiya Morohashi to defeat Banana Senga, Guillermo Akiba, Hisamaru Tajima and Toujyuki Leon.[16] In the semifinals, Fuka, Daichi and Ibushi defeated Antonio Honda, Francesca Applenya and Mori Bernard, which earned them a place in the finals, where Fuka and Ibushi defeated Shinjitsu Nohashi and Yoshitsune to win the tournament.[16] Fuka finally lost the POP Championship to Natsuki☆Taiyo at a NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling event on December 31, 2006.[17] During 2006, Fuka also won the comedic Princess of Ketsudeka (POK) Championship and the TWF World Tag Team Championship with Shuu Shibutani.[5]

On March 3, 2007, Fuka wrestled her third anniversary match, in which she was defeated by Nanae Takahashi.[18] On March 21, Fuka was defeated by Ayako Hamada in a singles match, during which Hamada was particularly stiff delivering her strikes. Following the match, Fuka broke down crying and announced that she did not want to wrestle anymore.[19][20] On April 13, JDStar officially sidelined Fuka due to "poor physical condition".[21] She eventually returned on May 18, teaming with Hiroyo Matsumoto in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Ayumi Kurihara and Shuu Shibutani.[18][22] Just three days later, JDStar announced that the promotion would be folding after the July 16 event.[23] At the final event, Fuka wrestled in a tag team match, where she and JDStar trainer Jaguar Yokota defeated Misaki Ohata and Shuu Shibutani.[24]

Freelancing and Fuka Matsuri (2007–2010)[]

After the folding of JDStar, Fuka became a freelancer, while also starting to promote her own independent events. The first "Fuka Matsuri" event took place on September 30, 2007, and saw Fuka and Nanae Takahashi win a four tag team main event.[8] During the next two years, Fuka promoted approximately one Fuka Matsuri event every three months, featuring several independent workers and friends as well as members of her family.[8] On October 7, 2007, Fuka wrestled at an event co-promoted by Nanae Takahashi's Pro Wrestling Sun and Pro Wrestling Zero1, defeating Tracy Taylor for European Wrestling Association's (EAW) World Ladies Championship.[18]

On February 24, 2008, Fuka promoted the third Fuka Matsuri event, celebrating her fourth anniversary in professional wrestling. During the event, she wrestled twice, first in a tag team match, where she and Hikaru defeated Monster Black and Shuu Shibutani and then in a special main event, where she teamed with her brother Daichi to defeat their father Masahide and their oldest brother Genki.[8] On May 11, Fuka made her Mexican debut for the Toryumon Mexico promotion in Mexico City, teaming with Saori in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Hiroka and Mima Shimoda.[25] During her several future travels to Mexico, Fuka created a masked persona named "Tigre Fuka".[26] On August 31, Fuka promoted the fifth Fuka Matsuri in her hometown of Nara. In the main event, Fuka teamed with her father Masahide to defeat Genki Kakimoto and Monster Black.[8]

On October 11, 2008, Fuka made her debut for Dragon Gate, defeating "Hollywood" Stalker Ichikawa in back-to-back intergender singles matches.[27] As a freelancer, Fuka also made appearances for several joshi promotions, including Ibuki,[28] Ice Ribbon,[29] JWP Joshi Puroresu,[30] and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling.[31] Fuka celebrated her fifth anniversary in professional wrestling on February 22, 2009, with Fuka Matsuri 7, which saw her and Nanae Takahashi defeat Haruka Matsuo and Yoshiko Tamura in the main event tag team match.[32]

On July 5, 2009, Fuka returned to NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling, teaming with Yoshiko Tamura in the Mid Summer Tag Tournament VIII. After defeating the teams of Aya Yuki and Minori Makiba, and Ayumi Kurihara and Kana, Fuka and Tamura were defeated in the finals of the tournament by Emi Sakura and Nanae Takahashi.[33] On October 21, Fuka surprisingly announced that she would be retiring from professional wrestling the following spring.[34] Fuka Matsuri 12 took place on December 23 and saw Fuka being defeated by Meiko Satomura in the main event.[35] On February 25, 2010, Fuka returned to Mexico as part of her retirement tour, working under her Tigre Fuka persona at an International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) event in a tag team match, where she and Flor Metalica defeated La Diabólica and Lady Metal.[26][36] Three days later, she promoted her Mexican retirement event in Tlalnepantla de Baz.[37] The thirteenth and final Fuka Matsuri took place on March 28 in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall, and featured Fuka's retirement match, in which she was defeated by Nanae Takahashi.[2]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2010–2017)[]

On September 7, 2010, Fuka and former JDStar promoter Rossy Ogawa held a press conference to announce the formation of a new promotion, named World Wonder Ring Stardom, with Fuka being assigned the title of general manager.[38] During the past months, Fuka had started training several women, including Arisa Hoshiki, Eri Susa, Yoko Bito and most notably Yuzuki Aikawa, to become professional wrestlers for Stardom and also recruited her friend, mixed martial artist Mika Nagano, as part of the promotion's roster.[38] Fuka works as the on-screen authority figure and ring announcer for Stardom and starts each major event with a dance performance.[39][40][41] On January 21, 2018, at Stardom's 7th Anniversary show, Fuka announced her retirement from Stardom, as she was expecting her first child in the summer.

Dream Star Fighting Marigold (2024-Present)[]

Upon the announcement of the creation of Dream Star Fighting Marigold, several active members of the World Wonder Ring Stardom and Actwres girl'Z (AWG) rosters defected to Marigold. Amongst them was Fuka former advisor to AWG, whom also announced her departure to join Marigold.[42]

Personal life[]

Kakimoto married kickboxer Ikki on June 19, 2017, six months after their first meeting in December 2016.[6][43]

In wrestling[]

  • Finishing moves
    • As Fuka
      • Doll F (Jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick)[5][3]
      • F Crash (Over the shoulder swinging side slam)[5][3]
    • As Tigre Fuka
      • Mac (Tilt-a-whirl headscissors transitioned into a schoolboy pin)[2]
  • Signature moves
    • Abdominal stretch[5]
    • Cross armbar,[3] sometimes while flying[5]
    • Missile dropkick[5]
    • Tiger feint kick to the head of an opponent draped over the second rope[5]
  • Nicknames
    • "Joshi Puroresu no Haru Urara"[3] (Japanese for "Haru Urara of Women's Professional Wrestling")
    • "Hissatsu-kei Idol"[3] (Japanese for "Deadly Idol")[41]
  • Entrance themes
    • "Startin'" by Ayumi Hamasaki[5]

Wrestlers trained[]

Championships and accomplishments[]

  • European Wrestling Association
    • EWA World Ladies Championship (1 time)[3][18]
  • JDStar
    • Princess of Ketsudeka Championship (1 time)[5]
    • Princess of Pro-Wrestling Championship (1 time)[5][3]
    • TWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shuu Shibutani[5]
    • League Princess (2006)[5]
  • Último Dragón Fiesta
    • Dragon Mixture Tournament (2006) – with Daichi Kakimoto, Kota Ibushi and Seiya Morohashi[16]

References[]

  1. ↑ Fukaエンジェル (in Japanese). Fukumen Mania. Retrieved on 2014-08-13.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 風香祭「Fuka Matsuri Fin～風香引退記念試合～」 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2010-03-28). Archived from the original on 2010-04-01. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 ～スターダムGM～風香 (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom (2014-05-22). Retrieved on 2014-05-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 ja:風香（プロレス） (in Japanese). Platinum Production. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 ja:風香 (in Japanese). JDStar. Archived from the original on 2007-01-13. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 ja:元アイドルレスラー・風香が結婚！お相手はキックボクサー・一輝 (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports (2017-06-20). Retrieved on 2017-06-20.
  7. ↑ ja:柿本大地 (in Japanese). Dramatic Dream Team. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Battle (in Japanese). Fuka Matsuri. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  9. ↑ ja:アストレスとは?! (in Japanese). JDStar. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  10. ↑ ja:風香ラストインタビュー　引退試合いよいよ明日！ 「私の最後の瞬間を、ぜひ見届けてください」 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2010-03-27). Archived from the original on 2010-03-31. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  11. ↑ ja:8月 7日（日）18:00　埼玉・青伸産業運輸大駐車場 (in Japanese). JDStar. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  12. ↑ ja:格闘美～Ｆｕｔｕｒｅ～開幕戦 (in Japanese). JDStar. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 格闘美～Future～ (in Japanese). JDStar. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  14. ↑ 格闘美～Festa～Popフェスタ (in Japanese). JDStar. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  15. ↑ Battle (2006) (in Japanese). Fuka Matsuri. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 ja:仮面貴族と究極龍が華麗に競演 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2006-06-23). Archived from the original on 2006-07-21. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  17. ↑ ja:12月31日(日) (in Japanese). NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Battle (2007) (in Japanese). Fuka Matsuri. Archived from the original on 2011-08-16. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  19. ↑ 格闘美～Massive07最終戦～ (in Japanese). JDStar. Retrieved on 2013-01-29.
  20. ↑ ja:格闘美 アイドルレスラー風香が、ぐ～んと大きく成長して復活 (in Japanese). NPN (2007-05-19). Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  21. ↑ ja:風香欠場のため、4/22『芸能プロダクション～Ｆｕｔｕｒｅ07～』対戦カード変更 (in Japanese). JDStar (2007-04-13). Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  22. ↑ ja:風香、復帰戦で黒星も復活の手ごたえ＝格闘美 待ち望んでいたファンに涙の約束 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2007-05-19). Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  23. ↑ ja:ＪＤスターを応援して下さっている皆様へ (in Japanese). JDStar (2007-05-21). Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  24. ↑ 『ジャンヌダルク〜Ｊｄ’・ＪＤスター格闘美Ｆinal〜』 (in Japanese). JDStar. Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  25. ↑ Battle (2008) (in Japanese). Fuka Matsuri. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Boutwell, Josh 2010-03-05. Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . Wrestleview. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  27. ↑ ja:奈良・奈良市中央体育館 (in Japanese). Dragon Gate. Gaora. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  28. ↑ 息吹2008DVD (in Japanese). S-Ovation. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  29. ↑ ja:ｱｲｽﾘﾎﾞﾝ32　北沢大会 (in Japanese). Ice Ribbon. Archived from the original on 2013-06-21. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  30. ↑ ja:(結果)12月31日（月）後楽園ホール「第５回ジュニア・オールスター戦」 (in Japanese). JWP Joshi Puroresu. FC2 (2007-12-31). Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  31. ↑ Result (in Japanese). Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  32. ↑ 風香、ボコボコにされるも5周年を勝利で飾る＝風香祭 ウェディング姿や"エアSpeed"も披露 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2009-02-22). Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  33. ↑ ja:2009年7月5日(日) (in Japanese). NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  34. ↑ News (in Japanese). Fuka Matsuri. Archived from the original on 2013-04-02. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  35. ↑ ja:風香、里村に完敗も３．２８引退興行へ全力疾走宣言=風香祭 「引退まで３カ月、最後まで成長を続けていきたい」 (in Japanese). Sports Navi. Yahoo! (2009-12-23). Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  36. ↑ Reyes Ruiz, Eduardo 2010-02-25. さようなら sayônara Fuka y el Pantera rapado por el Trauma I. (in Spanish). Estrellas del Ring. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  37. ↑ Marquina, Alva 2010-02-18. Fuka dice adíos a México (28 febrero 2010) -Dark Angel, Hiroka y Princesa Sugey presentes (in Spanish). SuperLuchas. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 ja:2010年9月~12月 (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. Archived from the original on 2011-09-02. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  39. ↑ Season1~ (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. Archived from the original on 2013-04-29. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  40. ↑ Season2~ (in Japanese). World Wonder Ring Stardom. Archived from the original on 2013-04-29. Retrieved on 2012-12-01.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 What is Stard✪m? . We Are Stardom. World Wonder Ring Stardom. Archived from the original on 2015-06-13. Retrieved on 2015-06-13.
  42. ↑ Rose, Bryan (15 April 2024). "Rossy Ogawa announces launch of Marigold promotion". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 15 April 2024. 
  43. ↑ ja:風香、結婚祝福ラッシュに「自惚れていた自分が恥ずかしい」 (in Japanese). Daily Sports Online. Kobe Shimbun (2017-06-21). Retrieved on 2017-06-21.
  44. ↑ 44.00 44.01 44.02 44.03 44.04 44.05 44.06 44.07 44.08 44.09 44.10 44.11 44.12 44.13 44.14 44.15 44.16 44.17 44.18 44.19 44.20 44.21 44.22 Entourage . Cagematch. Retrieved on 2017-06-22.
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