(NOAH) Akitoshi Saito's N-1 evaluation: Masakatsu Funaki

Note.Noah.Co.Jp

27th July 2022

It is difficult to read his current psychology from his facial expression during matches due to his stoicness in diet and fighting methods. He is always calm, just as if his first action was aiming at five or ten moves ahead. All motion flows with no waste.  

His kicking and ground technique, which has few initial movements and causes a great deal of damage with infinitely small movements, can instantly enter the personal space of the opponent. Yes, this is a basic form of mind over time, he is an invader who takes the lead in that space. 

The kick that uses a snap to increase the power, has a small knee angle, so the trajectory does not change. The type of kick is difficult to read, and the speed is fast, so the opponents have a matching time difference in their response.

At the time of the ground attack, in addition to the movement with his hands, it is a must see for how to create an area using knees, and how not to let the opponent take a good position. The method of control such as the guidance, is a must-see.

First contact, second contact etc, the illusion is moving by the time contact is made with the opponent when there is space, so while you won't be able to see it, it's something you want to feel (if you concentrate on watching the match, I think there are times when you feel this is the case. Radio waves, ultraviolet rays, etc are not the only reality, if you can watch the match while feeling that kind of thing, then the fun may be doubled.) The perfect sniper does chess in his brain, blocking all the escape routes by a skillful assembly, and he sentences you to checkmate without you realizing it. 

It is important for opponents not to mirror the rhythm and the space when responding, and how to create a motion that can be taken to a powerful technique so that it will not be detected, may be the turning point in the match. A fighter who is set apart from other wrestlers, I want you to see the moment without blinking.

Translated from Note.Noah.co.jp

Picture credit Note.Noah.co.jp