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Fans already know you as the Second Inoki from Brazil. Do you feel any
pressure about this name?
Yes, but I just feel very honored to be called the Second Inoki. I'll train hard right now at INOKI DOJO to live up to the expectations. I have a lot to prove when I debut in the professional ring.
Your debut match was announced just now, it's going to be on the 5.2 NJPW Tokyo Dome show. How do you feel about that?
At last I can start my fighting life. I'm really happy. I'm not worried about winning or losing but hope to show all of my spirit and heart in the fight. In the fighting world, there is only one chance. I don't expect to get a second chance, so I will focus and put out everything I have in this fight.
You grew up in Brazil and already had martial arts experience before
Mr. Inoki found you?
Yes, I grew up in the Amazon learning various martial arts. I started karate when I was four years old.
Did your parents put you in the fighting world?
I grew up living in a dojo. My dad is a karate master and teaches karate for living. At three years old, I was watching karate, and at four, I started "KATA" (punch and kick forms). It was very natural for me because the dojo was our home, and upstairs was our living space.
Where did your dad learn karate?
He's Japanese and moved to Brazil when he was 22 years old. Now he's 57 and still teaching the way of karate.
How was your dad as a teacher?
Very strict and very strong. I respect him very much, and I also learned a lot from my brothers. I have two older brothers and one younger brother. Especially, my closest brother, Shinzo (26), is very strong and is a four-time karate champion. The eldest, Takehiko (28), is a businessman, and the youngest, Kenzo (20), is a media reporter. We all grew up doing karate and other martial arts together.
What other martial arts did you do?
Jiu-jitsu and sumo. I did pretty good in all of them.
How?
I've competed in so many tournaments and fought countless times. The biggest awards I have achived so far is the Gold medal from Karate Pan American Championship. I'm an Amazon champion for Jiu-jitsu and I have placed second for the amateur sumo tournamnet in the 115kg division.
You've been doing these activities since you were a child. How
old are you now?
I'm 26 now. I started Jiu-jitsu when I was 15 years old, Sumo at 12 years old, and Karate at the age of 4.
Continued to the next page --> Other Interviews |
