The first woman in ROH's tournament to crown a new Women's World Champion has been announced.
ROH announced that Sumie Sakai is the first woman to participate in the 16-woman tournament, set to begin on April 24. The winner of the tournament will become the new Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, replacing the Women of Honor title the company had for the last few years.
Sumie Sakai has been announced as the first competitor in the upcoming 16-woman tournament to crown the inaugural ROH Women’s World Champion. Sakai was the first and longest-reigning holder of the old Women of Honor Title.
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) February 16, 2020
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Sakai was the first woman to hold the Women of Honor after winning a 16-woman tournament that saw her defeat Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, Tenille Dashwood and Kelly Klein to win the title. Sakai then went on to hold the belt for 251 days, the longest in the title's history. Sakai went on to drop the belt to Klein, who held the title a record three times.
The entire first round will begin at the Quest For Gold show in Philadelphia on April 24. No further participants were announced, but ROH did say that the tournament will include talent from all over the world and some who have never competed for the promotion.
