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Yuka Sakazaki (坂崎 ユカ, Sakazaki Yuka, born December 27, 1992) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She is known for her tenure with Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, where she is a three-time Princess of Princess Champion, and a record-tying four-time Princess Tag Team Champion.

Yuka Sakazaki
Sakazaki in 2023
Born (1992-12-27) December 27, 1992 (age 31)[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mil Clown[2]
Yuka Sakazaki
Billed height158 cm (5 ft 2 in)[1]
Billed weight58 kg (128 lb)[2]
Billed from"South Town"[3]
Trained byDDT Dojo
DebutDecember 1, 2013

Early life

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She attended a training school with aspirations for comedy. She later switched to wrestling.[4]

Professional wrestling career

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Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (2013–2023)

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Sakazaki as Mil Clown in October 2016

Sakazaki made her professional wrestling debut for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW), winning a tag team match on December 1, 2013.[5]

In the summer of 2014, Sakazaki participated in the first Tokyo Princess Cup, defeating Kanna in the first round before losing to eventual champion Nonoko in the semifinals.

On June 4, 2017, Sakazaki defeated Yuu to become the Tokyo Princess of Princess Champion for the first time.[6] On August 26, at Brand New Wrestling ~ The Beginning Of A New Era, Sakazaki lost the title in her first defense against Reika Saiki, ending her reign at 83 days.[7] Throughout September and October, Sakazaki and her tag team partner Shoko Nakajima participated in a tournament to crown the first Tokyo Princess Tag Team Champions. The two won their first round and semifinal matches in the tournament and eventually defeated Maho Kurone and Rika Tatsumi in the finals to win the tag titles.[8] On February 3, 2018, Sakazaki and Nakajima lost the tag titles to Neo Biishiki-gun (Azusa Christie and Sakisama). Later that year, Sakazaki again competed in the Tokyo Princess Cup, winning her first three matchups before losing to Yuu in the finals.[9] On August 4, Sakazaki teamed with Mizuki (under the name Magical Sugar Rabbits) in the one-day Yeah! Metcha Tag Tournament, which they won by defeating Hyper Misao and Nakajima, the latter of whom Sakazaki won the Tokyo Princess Tag Team Championship with. Three weeks later, Sakazaki and Mizuki defeated Maki Itoh and Reika Saiki to win the vacant tag titles, marking Sakazaki's second reign as champion.[8] The two held the title for ten months until they were defeated by Neo Biishiki-gun.[8]

On November 3, 2019, at DDT Pro-Wrestling's Ultimate Party, Sakazaki defeated Shoko Nakajima to claim her second Princess of Princess Championship.[10] On January 4, 2021, at Tokyo Joshi Pro '21, Sakazaki lost the title to Rika Tatsumi, ending her second reign at 428 days.[11] On October 9, at Wrestle Princess II, Sakazaki and Mizuki defeated Neo Biishiki-gun to win the Princess Tag Team Championship for the second time.[12] At CyberFight Festival 2022 on June 12, Sakazaki fought Nakajima for the Princess of Princess Championship in a losing effort.[13] On July 9, at Summer Sun Princess, Magical Sugar Rabbits lost the tag titles to Reiwa Ban AA Cannon (Saki Akai and Yuki Arai), ending their second reign at 273 days.[14] On August 14, Sakazaki defeated Miu Watanabe to win the Tokyo Princess Cup for the first time.[15] On October 9, at Wrestle Princess III, Sakazaki defeated Nakajima to regain the Princess of Princess Championship for a third time.[16] On March 18, 2023, at Grand Princess '23, Sakazaki dropped the title to Mizuki, ending her third reign at 160 days.[17] Thirteen days later, at TJPW Live In Los Angeles, Magical Sugar Rabbits defeated 121000000 (Maki Itoh and Miyu Yamashita) to win the Princess Tag Team Championship for a record-setting third time, giving Sakazaki a record-tying fourth reign with the title.[18] On May 8, TJPW announced that Sakazaki will be graduating from the promotion, her final show taking place on December 1 and will be based in the United States the following year.[19] On June 9, Sakazaki vacated the tag titles after being diagnosed with a neck injury.[20]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

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In 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced that Sakazaki would wrestle at Double or Nothing,[21][22] competing in the six women tag-team match. She participated in a triple threat match at Fyter Fest on June 29, losing to Riho after she pinned Nyla Rose.[23] On February 5, 2020, Sakazaki made her debut on Dynamite defeating Britt Baker and being attacked by her after the match.[24] After that, she stopped appearing for the promotion due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 
Sakazaki in October 2021

On February 15, 2021, Sakazaki made her AEW return to participate in the AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament. In the opening round of the Japanese side of the bracket, Sakazaki was victorious over Mei Suruga.[25] She defeated Emi Sakura in the Japanese bracket semifinals on February 22 to advance to the next round, where she lost to Ryo Mizunami on an all-women's B/R Live special on February 28.[26][27] On July 12, Sakazaki returned back to competing in AEW shows and she appeared on Dark: Elevation, facing KiLynn King which she was victorious.[28] On the July 14 special edition episode of Dynamite titled Fyter Fest, Sakazaki's first time appearing on Dynamite in 16 months, Sakazaki faced Penelope Ford and again was victorious.[29] On May 6, 2022, Sakazaki returned to AEW competing on Rampage by taking part in the Owen Hart Cup, where she faced Riho and lost.[30]

On April 6, 2024, Sakazaki returned to AEW by defeating Trish Adora on Collision. After the match, she gets confronted by Serena Deeb on stage.[31] Two weeks later on Rampage, Sakazaki's first time appearing on Rampage in 23 months, she defeated Emi Sakura. During the match, Sakazaki suffered a leg injury after tumbling outside from the top rope.[32][33] She made her return on the September 14 episode of Collision, defeating Deeb and getting into a confrontation with AEW Women's World Champion "The Glamour" Mariah May afterwards.[34] On the following Dynamite, Sakazaki teamed up with Queen Aminata and defeated Deeb and May by disqualification, after being hit in the head by May's Women's World title belt.[35] On September 25, at Dynamite: Grand Slam, she failed to beat May for the title.[36]

Ring of Honor (2023–present)

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On the January 16, 2023, episode of Dark: Elevation, Sakazaki returned and saved Zeda Zhang from an attack by ROH Women's World Champion Athena after their match.[37] Two weeks later, Sakazaki teamed with Skye Blue and fought Athena and Diamante in a winning effort.[38]

On January 18, 2023 (aired January 26), Sakazaki officially made her Ring of Honor (ROH) debut by defeating Sandra Moone at The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life special.[39][40] On the March 30 episode of ROH Honor Club TV, Sakazaki saved Emi Sakura from an attack by ROH Women's World Champion Athena after their title match.[41] A day later, at Supercard of Honor, Sakazaki fought Athena for the ROH Women's World title in a losing effort.[42]

On the April 25, 2024, episode of ROH Honor Club TV, Sakazaki's first time appearing on Honor Club TV in 12 months, she made her return and defeated Leila Grey.[43]

Personal life

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Amidst her announcement of her graduating from TJPW, she announced that she would be permanently moving to the United States in 2024 to pursue work.[44]

Championships and accomplishments

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Sakazaki's first reign was when the championship was called the Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship.
  2. ^ Sakazaki's first two reigns were when the championship was called the Tokyo Princess Tag Team Championship.

References

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  1. ^ a b "DDT ProWrestling". DDT ProWrestling. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Yuka Sakazaki". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "Free Match – Riho vs Nyla Rose vs Yuka Sakazaki from AEW's Fyter Fest". YouTube.com. All Elite Wrestling. July 4, 2019. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  4. ^ Madison, Marc. "Yuka Sakazaki – AEW Talent Preview". Prowrestlingpost.com. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  5. ^ "Matches « Yuka Sakazaki « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Princess Of Princess Championship". Dramatic DDT. January 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  7. ^ Purolove (August 26, 2017). "TJPW "BRAND NEW WRESTLING ~ BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA", 26.08.2017 Tokyo Korakuen Hall". purolove.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "TOKYO Princess Tag Team Championship". Dramatic DDT. November 2017. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Joshi City (July 8, 2018). "Tokyo Joshi Pro "Tokyo Princess Cup 2018" Review". joshicity.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "DDT Ultimate Party 2019 ~ DDT Group Big Set ~ « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  11. ^ Harris, Bethany (January 4, 2021). "#AndNEW: Rika Tatsumi Wins Princess of Princess Championship". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Daly, Wayne (October 9, 2021). "TJPW Results: Wrestle Princess 2 – Tokyo, Japan (10/9)". wrestling-news.net. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 12, 2022). "CyberFight Festival 2022 (6/12): DDT, NOAH, TJPW, NJPW Talent In Action". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  14. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 9, 2022). "TJPW Summer Sun Princess Results (7/9/22) | Shoko Nakajima vs. Rika Tatsumi, Thunder Rosa vs. Miyu Yamashita, And More". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Thompson, Andrew (August 14, 2022). "Yuka Sakazaki wins 2022 TJPW Tokyo Princess Cup tournament". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  16. ^ Edwards, Scott (October 9, 2022). "TJPW Wrestle Princess III Results (10/9/22): Shoko Nakajima vs. Yuka Sakazaki, Riho Competes, And More". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Edwards, Scott (March 18, 2023). "TJPW Grand Princess '23 Results (3/18/23): Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mizuki, Maki Itoh, Billie Starkz, And More". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Edwards, Scott (March 31, 2023). "TJPW Live In Los Angeles Results (3/31/23): Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh, And More". Fightful. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Thompson, Andrew (May 8, 2023). "Yuka Sakazaki graduating from TJPW, will be based in USA in 2024". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  20. ^ 坂崎ユカが負傷により欠場へ…瑞希とのプリンセスタッグ王座は返上. DDT Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). June 9, 2023. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Pollock, John (February 8, 2019). "Kenny Omega joins AEW and lots of other announcements". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  22. ^ Rose, Bryan (February 7, 2019). "AEW announces new talent for Double or Nothing". F4WOnline.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  23. ^ Powell, Jason (June 29, 2019). "6/29 AEW Fyter Fest results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr., Fenix, and Laredo Kid, Jon Moxley vs. Joey Janela in an unsanctioned match, Cody vs. Darby Allin, Cima vs. Christopher Daniels". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Barnett, Jake (February 5, 2020). "2/5 AEW Dynamite TV: Barnett's live review of Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, and The Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr., Rey Fenix, The Butcher, and The Blade, Jon Moxley vs. Ortiz, Britt Baker vs. Yuka Sakazaki, Cody taking ten lashes from MJF". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "AEW Women's Title Eliminator Tournament Results: First Round Matches From Japan". Wrestling Inc. February 15, 2021. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  26. ^ Powell, Jason (February 22, 2021). "2/22 AEW Women's Championship Eliminator tournament results: Powell's live review of Yuka Sakazaki vs. Emi Sakura and Aja Kong vs. Ryo Mizunami in second-round Japan bracket matches, Tay Conti vs. Nyla Rose and Britt Baker vs. Madi Wrenkowski in U.S. bracket first-round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason (February 28, 2021). "2/28 AEW Women's Championship Eliminator tournament results: Powell's live review of Yuka Sakazaki vs. Ryo Mizunami in the Japan bracket finals, Riho vs. Thunder Rosa in a U.S. bracket semifinal match, Hikaru Shida, Mei Suruga, and Rin Kadokura vs. Emi Sakura, Veny, and Maki Itoh". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  28. ^ "AEW Dark Elevation Results". Cagematch. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "AEW Dynamite Results July 14 2021". All Elite Wrestling. July 15, 2021. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  30. ^ "AEW Rampage May 6 2022 Results". All Elite Wrestling. May 7, 2022. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  31. ^ "AEW Collision Results for April 6, 2024". All Elite Wrestling. April 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  32. ^ "AEW Collision and Rampage Results for April 20, 2024". All Elite Wrestling. April 21, 2024. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  33. ^ Carey, Ian (April 21, 2024). "Yuka Sakazaki suffered legitimate leg injury on AEW Rampage". F4WOnline.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "AEW Collision Results for September 14, 2024". All Elite Wrestling. September 14, 2024. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  35. ^ "AEW Dynamite Results for September 18, 2024". All Elite Wrestling. September 18, 2024. Archived from the original on September 21, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "AEW Dynamite Grand Slam 2024 Results". All Elite Wrestling. September 25, 2024. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  37. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (January 16, 2023). "AEW Dark: Elevation Stream And Results (1/16): Blackpool Combat Club, Athena, Willie Mack in Action". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Juon, Steve (January 30, 2023). "AEW Dark Elevation recap (Jan. 30, 2023): Level up before the Final Boss". Cageside Seats. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  39. ^ Tessier, Colin (January 19, 2023). "ROH Jay Briscoe Celebration Of Life Spoilers (Taped On 1/18)". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  40. ^ Hall, Thomas (January 26, 2023). "Hall's Jay Briscoe: A Celebration Of Life Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  41. ^ Pulido, Luis (March 30, 2023). "Ring of Honor TV (3/30/2023) Results: Athena vs Sakura, Eddie Kingston, Hijo del Vikingo & More". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  42. ^ Powell, Jason (March 31, 2023). "ROH Supercard of Honor results: Powell's live review of Reach For The Sky ladder match for the vacant ROH Tag Titles, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston for the ROH Championship, Athena vs. Yuka Sakazaki for the ROH Women's Championship, El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander for the AAA Mega Championship, Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH TV Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  43. ^ Pulido, Luis (April 25, 2024). "ROH On Honor Club (4/25/2024) Results: Undisputed Kingdom vs. Outrunners, Johnny TV, AR Fox, More". Fightful. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  44. ^ Carey, Ian (May 8, 2023). "Yuka Sakazaki graduating from TJPW, will be based in USA in 2024". F4WOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  45. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Women's 150 2021 List in Full". Wrestling Travel. October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  46. ^ "Princess of Princess Championship". CageMatch. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  47. ^ a b 行こう!行くべ!行けば!行く時!迷うなら練馬に行くだけさ!. DDT Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). February 3, 2018. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  48. ^ BRANDNEW WRESTLING 2~今、攻める時だ~. DDT Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 25, 2018. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
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