(NOAH) Sugiura & Sekine: National Tag League

26th March 2020
Tokyo Sports

A unique tag team has started while Japan is in crisis.
GHC National Champion and former SDF Takashi Sugiura (49) and former Shizuoka Prefectural Police Officer Hideki "Shrek" Sekine (46), have launched a new combination in "Global Tag League", which opens in Osaka on 4th April. The chemistry between them was better than expected, and the first victory was witnessed.

Sugiura says, "We need to take action because Japan is facing a critical situation. I feel a sense of affinity known only to comrades, who have given themselves for the country. An athlete with a pro-wrestler like appearance emerged after a long time". This gave Sugiura great trust in his new friend.

Sekine said, "I have been longing to wrestle since the era of Mitsuharu Misawa. Noah was the only one I believed was the real deal, and unexpectedly now there is Sugiura and the tag. Both the Self-Defence Forces and the police work to protect national security. I want to demonstrate my mental and physical strength."

They both also have a lot of experience in martial arts. Sugiura used to be active in PRIDE and Sengoku. Sekine, with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, continues pro wrestling while participating in the "ONE Championship" and "RIZIN". Like Sugiura, he is a dog lover, and he has beloved dogs a Tiger Inu, Mego (3 years old, female) and the labrador retriever, Bon (Male, 6). Sugiura said, "In the Sugiura Army, there are no better examples of dog lovers. Its really the "National Dogs"
He hit Sekine on the back, who was wearing a Sugiura Army t-shirt with the face of Sugiura's dog, Kenta, printed on it (1 year and 5 months old).
Additionally, Sekine is originally from the Yamanashi Gakuin University Judo Club, Sugiura's daughter is active at the university's women's soccer club. Sekine heard this fact, nodded and said, "I guess it was fate..."

Sugiura praised Sekine by saying, "I was 30, but he was past 40 when he jumped into pro-wrestling carrying the red sun of Japan. I feel courage that does not fall. I want you to fight as much as you want, and not hold back. I am looking forward to the infinite possibilities. Isn't it possible to win and challenge?" They are looking ahead to winning the league and the GHC Tag Title.

Regarding the fourth defense against Minoru Tanaka (47) on the 29th at Korakuen Hall, Sugiura says "I can't lose any more, because at tag league we will win the championship".

It's going to be a noticeable combination.

Link to original article from Tokyo Sports
Picture credit: Tokyo Sports