(NOAH) Kazushi Sakuraba continues to evolve, victory following submission from calf kick
Yahoo.co.jp/Nippon Sports
GHC Tag Champion, Kazushi Sakuraba (51), who holds one half of the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, gave momentum towards the title match (Yokohama Budokan) on March 7th. ]
Participating in an eight man tag match with partner Takashi Sugiura (50), one of the challengers for the tag titles, Katsuhiko Nakajima, tapped out to Sakuraba's technique, the "Calf Slicer", which he rarely uses in pro wrestling. With Sakuraba taking Nakajima's soccer ball kicks many times, it appeared to be a win, but a calf kick reversed the flow of the match. Sakuraba said, "I think there will be damage left in the calf. The method of pressure is different to that of the Achilles tendon."
He also tried to "steal" the opponents technique, such as trying Masa Kitamiya's specialty Senton, which is a jump on the opponent who is lying flat. His first attempt failed, but he quickly tried again and succeeded. Sugiura followed this up with, "It's fun to try various things".
Sakuraba says "practice is fun", both in pro wrestling and in martial arts. Whether or not there is a match, this does not change his practice routine. He says, "It's really interesting to discover new things, especially ways to apply techniques". Even though he has had many matches, he always thinks about new techniques, and sometimes adds them to his own repertoire. "I have a drink and watch videos, and try the unusual techniques of the gaijin the next day." He works hard on this desire. Showing confidence in the fourth title defense he says, "The title match will be problem free."
Sakuraba may be over fifty years old, but as long as he is having fun, his skills and mentality are constantly growing. He humbly says, "I don't think it will be possible until I am 55". But, as long as he doesn't lose his "fun", Sakuraba will continue to practice and stand in the ring.
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