Marigold Ring Announcer Oki Okita Diagnosed With Stage 4 Cancer

Dream Star Fighting Marigold has confirmed that longtime ring announcer Oki “Okky” Okita has been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, delivering difficult news to fans across the joshi and puroresu world.

The promotion said Okita underwent medical testing in Tokyo after experiencing a sudden physical issue while continuing his usual schedule. Doctors determined he had Stage 4 colon cancer that has already spread beyond the colon. He is currently hospitalized as doctors work to stabilize his condition before he begins chemotherapy, which is set to start in early August.

In its statement, Marigold wrote, “Please keep thoughts and prayers with Marigold ring announcer Oki Okita, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer… We’re cheering for your return Oki-san!!” Despite the severity of the diagnosis, the promotion noted that Okita has remained upbeat from his hospital bed, expressing his determination to complete treatment and eventually return to the ring announcing he has built his life’s work around.

Okita’s career stretches back more than three decades, beginning in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling before he became a fixture in promotions such as ARSION and ZERO1. Most recently, he has served as one of Marigold’s signature voices, known for his passionate and unmistakable introductions that have helped frame some of joshi wrestling’s biggest moments. For a generation of fans, his booming cadence has been as much a part of the presentation as the matches themselves.

In response to the diagnosis, Marigold announced that its August 9 show, MARIGOLD SUMMER DESTINY 2026, will be transformed into a benefit event dubbed “Okky Aid,” aimed at supporting Okita financially and emotionally during his recovery. Turning a major card into a charity effort underscores just how central Okita has become to the promotion’s identity in the short time since Marigold’s launch, and how deeply respected he is throughout the Japanese wrestling community.

News like this tends to resonate well beyond the promotion directly involved. Ring announcers rarely receive the same spotlight as the wrestlers they introduce, but voices like Okita’s often become inseparable from the emotional texture of a show. His decades of work across multiple companies have made him a familiar and comforting presence for longtime followers of joshi wrestling, which makes this diagnosis hit especially hard for fans who have watched his career unfold over the years.

For now, the focus shifts to Okita’s treatment and the August 9 benefit show, which figures to draw increased attention from fans both in Japan and internationally hoping to show support. PW Exclusive will continue to follow any updates on his condition and recovery in the weeks ahead.