(NOAH) Kenoh wins his first Global League, "I will build my era"

20th November 2017
TOKYO SPORTS

On November 19th at Noah's "Global League Battle 2017", Kenoh (32) won his first Global League by defeating Go Shiozaki (35). He confirmed he will challenge GHC Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards (33) at Korakuen Hall on the 22nd December. It was the return of his partner, Takashi Sugiura (47), from a heart operation, that became the driving force behind his progress.

Arriving newly in the heavyweight division in January, he started to show good results on his first big stage. He finished first place in B Block and faced the winner of A block, a genuine heavyweight wrestler who has won the GHC Title three times. While heavy chops turned his chest red, Kenoh won from aerial manoeuvres.

Although the fight was very much a retreat, the climax came after twenty-five minutes when he countered with a high kick and then unleashed the diving footstamp and put an end to the fierce battle. "I have won, and I am qualified to challenge for the GHC belt! I will build my era and take you to Nippon Budokan!" He vowed to resurrect Noah's golden age.

The momentum of rushing bamboo, he ran through the gruelling Global League which was more than a month long. Against the previous GHC Champion, Katsuhiko Nakajima (29) he drew against after thirty minutes, he took revenge against the Zero One World Heavyweight Champion, Masato Tanaka (44), the only dark spot was against Yukio Miyamoto (35), who had the upper hand.

There was also an "incident" that bought tension. Sugiura returned for the first time in four months on the 28th October during the league games. "Although he was returning, I had been doing an active part and I wanted to show him how much I had grown during his absence." While congratulating the return of his partner, he recognised that he must exist for himself and he headed for victory.

Link to original article@=: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/832855/