NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi visited STARDOM to award competitors with notable performances in this year’s 5 Star Grand Prix tournament.
The awards program took place prior to the main card of STARDOM’s Korakuen Hall show this past September 8. Hiroshi Tanahashi awarded each winner with their respective trophy and had a solo photo op session with them. The following competitors were honored at the awarding ceremony:
- Skill Award: Starlight Kid
- Fighting Spirit Award: AZM
- Special Achievement Award: Hanan
- Best Match Award (Red Stars A): Maika vs. Hazuki
- Best Match Award (Red Stars B): Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe
- Best Match Award (Blue Stars A): Saori Anou vs. Starlight Kid
- Best Match Award (Blue Stars B): Suzu Suzuki vs. Thekla
- 5 Star Grand Prix Runner-up: Saya Kamitani
- 5 Star Grand Prix Winner: Maika
It is tradition for STARDOM to honor the top competitors from their annual 5 Star Grand Prix tournament. This year’s tournament runner-up, Saya Kamitani, however, expressed her displeasure at her award. The “Phenex Queen” was hell-bent on winning this year’s 5 Star Grand Prix to challenge for the World of Stardom belt afterwards. She explicitly stated being unhappy upon receiving her award, and proceeded to taunt Hiroshi Tanahashi. Nonetheless, the NJPW Ace proceeded to play along with Kamitani’s antics.
STARDOM now gears up for their upcoming Namba Grand Fight event this Saturday, September 14 at the Edion Arena in Osaka. 5 Star Grand Prix 2024 winner Maika will challenge Tam Nakano for the World of Stardom Championship in the main event of the show. For the Wonder of Stardom Championship, Natsupoi will defend her belt against Hazuki following the latter’s victory over Thekla and Hanan in a 3-Way Battle. Former rivals will also once again clash as Mina Shirakawa looks to seek vengeance against Saya Kamitani for Saya’s betrayal of her EXV ally, Maika.
