Kanda Pro Wrestling!!

On a clear autumn Saturday, pro wrestling was held at Ogawa Plaza in Kanda-Ogawamachi, and I went along with some young friends to watch.

The moment I saw the square jungle—what they called the ring—set up in the center of the plaza, my excitement soared!

The last time I had come to watch a combat sport, including pro wrestling, was when I came to support Junji Sarumaru in Shooto mixed martial arts.

There was also a major pro-wrestling boom when the fifth-generation owner was in high school, and I used to watch the televised matches every week.

This Kanda Pro Wrestling event was organized by the local neighborhood association, and the mayor of Chiyoda Ward also gave a greeting.

Many local children had come to watch as well, all of them looking on with great excitement.

Three matches were scheduled, but as I had come during the restaurant's afternoon break, I was only able to watch two.

Well, there really is nothing like watching a match live!

Watching the wrestlers move freely all around the ring and unleash one move after another instantly takes me back to my student days.

Brainbusters, dropkicks, enzuigiri kicks, cobra twists, juji-gatame arm locks, and so on.

I even found myself standing up and cheering them on.

Though it was cold outside, adrenaline was flowing through my whole body, and I forgot all about the chill.

Thank you for a truly wonderful pro-wrestling experience!!