(NOAH) Takayama's team? This is more interesting (Kobashi, Rikio and Kobayashi public practice)
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| First weight training, then training in the ring, and then Kobashi gave advice to Rikio and Kobayashi |
26th September 2000 (Issue 996)
Note about title: For the newer fans, "Kobayashi" is young teenage Kenta Kobayashi, who would become KENTA.
"Don't give up!"
"Go for it!"
Rikio and Kobayashi gritted their teeth as Kobashi held them in the cage. Drops of sweat poured down endlessly. The heated practice continued for well over an hour, as if they'd forgotten about the media presence. This wasn't your typical public practice for the sake of creating a good image.
Looking back, the shock that hit Kobashi on August 19th at Ariake was the moment when Takayama & Asako, Morishima, and even Shiga turned against him. For a time, he was almost isolated and helpless...but now, with new partners in Kikuchi & Rikioh, he's looking forward to taking on Akiyama's team at Ariake on September 15th!!
"A ray of hope is within sight". Kobashi, who had been at a disadvantage since Noah's launch, finally had a smile on his face.
Q: How do you feel about the match at Ariake on September 15th (Akiyama, Takayama, and Kanemaru vs. Kobashi, Kikuchi, and Rikio)?
KOBASHI: This team will attract attention because Jun and Takayama are teaming up, but Riki (Rikio) is fired up, and Kikuchi is very motivated, so this team might be more interesting.
Q: Does this mean the three of you are the new Burning?
KOBASHI: No, I haven't decided anything like that.
Q: What specifically did you discuss with Kikuchi?
KOBASHI: Kikuchi-san lives in Sendai, so I've only spoken to him on the phone, but he told me he's working hard to train and get in shape. He's practicing hard every day, so I'm sure he'll be fine.
Q: Is he feeling positive about going into battle together?
KOBASHI: It's hard to say for sure without asking him directly, but as I've said for a while now, Kikuchi himself didn't really feel like doing it, so there's no point in forcing him if he doesn't feel like it. I thought he'd wait until he felt like he wanted to do it, but I interpret it as him feeling that way.
Q: Do you want to give Kobayashi a chance?
KOBASHI: Well, since that's the natural flow now, it's not strange for Kobayashi to do something, and he should just go ahead and do it. If he fails, he is the one to blame. He just needs to keep going, and he doesn't need to be shy around his seniors or anything like that. (Looking at Rikio) The juniors below him* are doing it, so Kobayashi doesn't need to be shy either.
Q: Last time (August 15th, Ariake) you teamed up and now you've been training together, what are your impressions of Rikio?
KOBASHI: As I've said before, this is a straightforward matter and he absorbs things quickly. I thought he might tire out sooner today, but that didn't happen at all. I think his stamina is gradually improving. It's all up to him to see how he carries himself until the match.
Q: You were practicing tackles in the ring. What advice did you give to Rikio?
KOBASHI: Well, he's got that physique, and I guess you could say that in sumo he goes all out, and being strong is all about that. Also, he was too focused on other things, and didn't concentrate on the moment of impact. So, even when he did make contact at first, he was putting too much force into running and didn't get the points right at the moment of impact, so his opponent didn't go down. So in the end, if he could reach that moment with a bang, like when he did it to me, he could take his opponent down. I think that is something that will also help with stamina, so he had to focus on that.
Q: What are your expectations for Rikio?
KOBASHI: There's some interesting potential there. He looked really good the other day (August 19th in Ariake). I think he'll show a lot of that potential as he continues to fight. I think he showed some good spirit, and that alone means he has a lot of potential for the future. In the match on the 15th (September), Akiyama, Takayama, and Kanemaru will be up against him. Well, if he wins this, they (Akiyama & Takayama) will have to compete on the 16th.
Q: On the 16th you want to have a tag match with Jun Akiyama and Takayama?
KOBASHI: Yes. They'll get a lot of attention for various reasons, but I think this is more interesting without having matches. In terms of stability, they might be more stable, but if you look at their current state, that's just how it is. But if there's any potential, you'll be able to see it more clearly here.
Q: You said the condition of your knee would be at its peak as you fight, but how does it actually feel now?
KOBASHI: I stepped into the ring for the first time in a while today, and when I do things like body slams and lift people, my knee still hurts, but I guess that's because I'm putting in a lot of effort. I go to the doctor every day and get proper care, so I'm slowly getting better. I think I'm starting to see a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. Up until now, I'd had the feeling that even after surgery, it wouldn't make much difference to how I was before. Recently, the doctor I see, and his consultant, have come to see me and they have gone out of their way to treat me. The two of them are giving me advice on not only practice methods and massages, but also rehabilitation and other aspects, so I feel like I'm coming back in good shape. I feel like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like I'm feeling a little better mentally.
Q: To what percent has your knee recovered compared to its best condition?
KOBASHI: Well, I wouldn't say it was the best, because it has been pretty bad for a while, but the doctor explained that even if it was bad, the muscles will develop in their own way, so if I tried to be active, despite the condition, I could make it good and build normal muscles in places where there wasn't any before.
Q: When your knee recovers, are you considering a singles match with Akiyama at the appropriate stage?
KOBASHI: I think it has be done properly, and it has to be done urgently.
Q: How do you view Akiyama's actions? People are saying that it's a generational change?
KOBASHI: To me, there's talk of a generational change, but I feel like it's not going to work out that way, and that everyone should just do what they want or what they think at the moment. I won't let that happen. This current trend is no joke. I don't want to blame it on my knee, but I do hope that the fact that I've started to see a light, will be a turning point.
Q: Do you plan to increase the number of team members in the future?
KOBASHI: No, not really
Q: This is an all out battle against Akiyama's team?
KOBASHI: After coming this far, it wouldn't be interesting if not.
Q: This is a group of four, including Kikuchi? Is it okay to think of it like that?
KOBASHI: Well, I haven't been in contact with Kikuchi yet, but I think that's how he feels. I think that it would be better to confirm that with each match, rather than calling it a group.
PICTURE BLURBS
Takeshi Rikio: "I need to be more focused than ever, and I'm going to keep my spirits up and not lose. I was disappointed when I lost the other day (August 1st at Ariake), and I'm sure I've disappointed Kobashi and his fans."
Notes
The juniors below him: KENTA is/was senior to Takeshi Rikio
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