(NOAH) "It's me, isn't it? It's me" Takashi Sugiura, the 53-year-old mainstay of Noah, is on his way to capturing the GHC!

Noah.co.jp

10th June 2023

(Note, I have edited part of this interview as Takashi Sugiura either talks about or answers questions about his family).

At Noah's Korakuen Hall event on Sunday May 14th, we spoke with Takashi Sugiura, who has been "reverse nominated" by Jake Lee, the GHC Heavyweight Champion. We spoke with Takashi Sugiura, who has decided to challenge for the same championship, in the form of "receiving". Sugiura, who has been away from the singles front, has shown his true ability, such as taking the tag belt. Sugiura always shows us a strong side, but what is the secret of his strength? We will accompany Takashi Sugiura in his daily life away from the ring, and get closer to his real intentions as he challenges for the GHC Heavyweight Championship.

(The interview takes place while accompanying Sugiura walking his dogs)

Q: Do you usually come to the Tama River often?*

SUGIURA: Yes, I take long walks along the Tama River.

Q: As expected, do you like dogs? 

SUGIURA: Yes, I fell in love with them

Q: What is the appeal of dogs?

SUGIURA: They miss me regardless. They are different from humans when it comes to love and money, aren't they? It's honestly cute, isn't it? 

Q: Are they really affectionate to you?

SUGIURA: I think so (laughs)

Q: What are their names?

SUGIURA: The Mameshiba is "Kenta"* and the Poodle is "Chachamaru".

Q: Are you basically in charge of walking the dogs?

SUGIURA: Basically it's me. Well, it's spare time if I don't have a match (laughs) Keep training. 

Q: Do you have any tricks?

SUGIURA: Sit down!...Sit down...? Kenta, sit down, sit down, sit down? Sit down...

(I assume that the dog does not)

Q: There's not much to say about that...

SUGIURA: He does it perfectly at home!

Q: Is there anything that makes you feel that they are becoming more like you? (Note, this is like saying that dogs are like their owners)

SUGIURA: A little resemblance in the face. It figures that this one (Kenta) looks like his owner, doesn't he? 

Q: You will be 53 years old (on May 31st), how is your physical condition?

SUGIURA: Well, it's perfect and with no injuries. 

Q: How do you feel about being called a "middle-aged star?"

SUGIURA: I debuted at 30. When I was about that age, I was said to be a "middle-aged star". A long time ago, a senior wrestler scolded me that "You're30 and not middle aged!", but since I made my debut late I have done my best to stay in shape and practice properly so as not to get injured. Since I debuted, I've been trying to keep my condition as good as the average generation. 

Q: After about two years, you will challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Please tell us your current feelings.

SUGIURA: It's been two years since then, and as I get older, my chances get smaller. I'm really happy that it's finally come around. 

Q: At the Ryogoku Kokugikan event on May 4th, Marufuji, who it's no exaggeration to say could be called your close friend, lost in the title match.  

SUGIURA: Well, that's right, it's disappointing. I thought that if Maru won the belt in reality, I would like to challenge him first*. He is true fellow warrior, who has been with Noah for 23 years. I don't think there will be a lot of situations where Maru and I will fight for the belt, so I thought it might be possible this time. I am sorry in that sense.

Q: At Korakuen Hall on May 14th, there was a reverse nomination from the champion, Jake Lee.

SUGIURA: "Oh, what, it is me?" and "To be honest, it's a bit like, as expected it's me". I thought to myself, "to be honest, it must be me" (laughs)

Q: Could you tell us about Jake Lee's strength and your impressions?

SUGIURA: I think he's very clever. He thinks about many things, and he thinks of how he does pro wrestling. He also thinks about Noah's pro wrestling. He's powerful and it figures with strong blows, so in that sense he is a heavyweight that Noah has never had before.

Q: What do you think are your own strength and weapons?

SUGIURA: What are my weapons, I wonder? I can't help but feel good when I say bad things. It's this feeling that I don't want to lose when it comes to "toughness".

Q: How do you feel about Jake Lee's declaration of "taking the helm of Noah?"

SUGIURA: I feel frustrated, but since he has the GHC Heavyweight, he already had the belt that is the symbol of the promotion, so it can't be helped that he's going to take the helm of Noah.

Q: Please tell us of your thoughts on the GHC Heavyweight Championship match on June 17th in Nagoya.

SUGIURA: There are feelings for the GHC and feelings for Noah. To put it more broadly, I want to really feel what Jake feels like by fighting Jake with my feelings for professional wrestling at stake.

Q: Who will you show it to if you regain the belt?

SUGIURA: I have a "dog persona" now, but back then I was a "hostess club lover", and when I first got it, I had a great time at one. So, why don't I arrange it next time (laughs) and go somewhere like Roppongi with the belt? (smile)

Translated from Noah.co.jp

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp

Notes

Tama River: River that flows through Tokyo and Kanagawa. Mitsuharu Misawa used to walk his beloved bulldog here. When his dog passed away, he would still walk here, taking the route they used to take. 

Kenta: Named after the breeder, not KENTA. 

Marufuji vs Sugiura: One of their pre match title matches had Sugiura chopping Marufuji and calling him "girl" for his ponytail hairstyle, and Marufuji chopping him back calling him "Octopus", which is kind of slang for a seedy man.