Sumie Sakai Debuts in America
by Shellie Lepere

Friday night, May 10, 2026 is a night that will be long remembered in New England wrestling history. As one of Japan's top female wrestlers Sumie (pronounced  soo-ME-ah) Sakai walked to the ring, the audience was not quite sure what to make of her.  For many, it was their first time seeing an international wrestler in action.  They were respectful of her, though the crowd seemed to be in favor of her opponent, Mercedes Martinez.

As this fast moving match begun, Sumie would have this crowd eating out of the palm of her hand.  In her native tongue, she spouted the words "here I go."  And she went, wrestling an amazing match against Martinez.  Though Martinez won the brand new North American Woman's Championship Title, there was no feeling of loss for Sumie.  Her mission is to enjoy what she is doing in the ring.  Sumie's philosophy is "If I'm having fun, the audience must be having fun."

A former judo martial artist, Sumie had taken time off from her craft.  For nearly three years she spent her time helping senior citizens.  It was while attending a wrestling match as a spectator that she realized what she wanted to do.  The wrestler who inspired her that day was Kyoko Inoue.  From that moment on, she wanted to be a wrestler.  How does the transition between judo and wrestling work?  As she explains it, judo and wrestling have very similar backgrounds.  The first thing you learn in judo is how to take a bump and it is also the first thing you learn in wrestling.  Sumie began working with her first coach Jaguar Yokoto.  She has an enormous amount of respect for her; not only as a wrestler, but the way she carries herself as a person.   She hopes one day to be respected by her peers in the same way.

In April of 1997 she debuted in Yoshimoto Ladies Pro Wrestling.  She went on to be a Queen of the Ring champion.  Two years into her career, she broke her leg in a match against a woman she admires, Lioness Asuka (one half of the 1980's tag team Crush Gals).  Sumie seriously considered retiring.  As her leg was healing, she spent her time watching American wrestling.   The American crowds inspired her.  In Japan, the crowds sit quietly and applaud.  In the United States, the crowds cheer and have a certain level of intensity.  Suddenly her focus changed.  Her dream was now to wrestle in the United States.

Sumie explains that there is a new breed of Japanese wrestling fans.  This new, younger audience focuses their attention strictly on American wrestling.  Many do not pay attention to the enormously popular Japanese wrestling circuit.  However, Sumie's venture to the United States could win over some of these fans.  Sumie hopes that since they follow the American wrestling scene, and she's now wrestling in the US, that they'll pay attention to her work.  Recently, Sumie even encountered former WWF star Joanie "Chyna" Lauer in Japan.  While on a shopping trip, she noticed Joanie and a TV crew.  Knowing some members on the crew, she was able to introduce herself to the wrestling superstar.  When Joanie saw Sumie, she picked her up around the waist with one arm.  Sumie wanted to do the same, but was stopped by Joanie's entourage.  However, Sumie says she still owes Joanie and one day, she will get to pick her up too.  Meeting Joanie was a great experience for Sumie.  She had the opportunity to see all of the fan fare and attention that Joanie receives.  One day, Sumie hopes that will reverse and that she can be the center of attention, as Joanie looks on.

Though her achievements in wrestling have been extraordinary, she does not feel that her style is perfected.  Her opinion of American women's wrestling is a positive one.  Sumie does not feel that the Japanese style is better than the American style.   In fact, she would like to incorporate elements of both styles to her ring technique.

What is next for this Japanese women's superstar?  Perhaps a move to the United States?   A friend of hers recently moved to the US and Sumie has noticed a positive change and hopes that the time she spends here will have a similar effect on her.  Above all, she wants to be an individual, respected by her peers.  Strong and independent are attributes she hopes people will remember when they hear her name.  Above all, the one thing Sumie dreams to do more than anything in the US is to wrestle in Madison Square Garden.  If her debut for NECW was any indication of things to come, she will most certainly get the chance.

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