Professional wrestler and actress Aono Miku

Brilliant Future
The new flag bearer of traditional pro wrestling

Professional wrestler and actress Miku Aono
 
Profile
She made her debut as an actress in 2011. In 2012, she played her first leading role in the film "Nana to Kaoru Chapter 2." While appearing in numerous productions, she was scouted by the representative of Actwres girl'Z and made her professional wrestling debut in 2017. She held two belts and reigned as the undisputed ace, but announced her transfer to Marigold in April 2024. She currently holds the United National (hereinafter UN) belt and is rapidly gaining popularity.

■What did you focus on during your student days?

When I was a student, I studied beauty at a vocational school where I could learn all aspects of makeup, nails, esthetics, etc. In my first year, I learned general skills, and in my second year, I specialized in nails.
In addition to attending beauty school classes, I also focused on part-time work. I lived in Saitama, but I wanted to meet as many different people and have as many opportunities as possible, so I worked part-time in Tokyo.

 
■What made you become a professional wrestler?

My first encounter with professional wrestling was through Actwres girl'Z, a program based on the concept of actresses and other entertainers trying their hand at professional wrestling.
When I met the president of Actress Girls for the first time, he told me, "You'll definitely become a star!" It's rare to find someone who says such powerful words to me, and I was happy that he saw potential in me. It was a time when I was looking for something to use as a weapon as an actor, so I decided to take up professional wrestling.
I was able to gain a variety of experiences with Actress Girls and the organization gradually grew, but members left or transferred for various reasons and the organization was in crisis. Still, I wanted Actress Girls to succeed and I had a strong desire to protect them, so I stayed, but I gradually felt like there was less and less I could do. So I considered retiring, but just around that time I heard that a new organization called "Marigold" was being launched, so I decided to give it a try one last time.

■What is the appeal of professional wrestling?

I find it rewarding to be able to express myself in the ring and to feel the emotions of the audience directly. I won the UN Championship in July, and the fight to get the belt was the toughest I've ever experienced, but I'll never forget the cheers I heard when I won. I think one of the charms of professional wrestling is being able to celebrate together with the people who support you.

■Please tell us about your enthusiasm for the tournament on January 3rd, 2025.

This will be Marigold's second big match, and my fourth title defense. My opponent is Sakurai Mai, who is also from Actress Girls, and I was her opponent in her debut match. However, although we were born in the same place, we grew up in different places, so I'm looking forward to seeing a side of Sakurai I've never seen before. I'm happy to be fighting against her, who has grown into a completely different person, but she's also an opponent I absolutely don't want to lose to. I believe we need to fight not just for the belt, but for the feelings we each have, and I want to defend my title and gain momentum for 2025.
 
■Message to university students

I have had many twists and turns, but I have become a professional wrestler, something I never imagined when I was a student.
When you write it down, it may seem like everything went smoothly, but there were times when I struggled and worried my mother. But I believe that by working hard at what is in front of me, a wonderful future will unfold, even if it is not the dream I had imagined.
I am enjoying the present, and because I discovered professional wrestling, my dreams continue to grow. I believe that even if you are not very good at something, trying it will surely bring you growth and change, so I encourage everyone to challenge themselves in many different ways. Students who have never seen professional wrestling yet should come and see it at the Ota Ward Gymnasium on January 3rd.

 Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on June 4, 2024 by Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University

Aoi Kuwayama, 1st year student at Aoyama Gakuin University / Yurie Watanabe, 1st year student at Josai International University