Post by Big Machine on Jul 14, 2008 12:36:55 GMT -5
All Japan held a public press conference to announce the joining of former 6th level Makushita, Ryota Hama. Hama, a native from Ibaraki city, Osaka, stands at 176cm tall and 185kg wide, and his sumo won/loss/draw record was 235/169/114.
Hama began his sumo career training at the age of 15 back in 1994 and recently retired this summer doing to knee injuries. Hama admitted to the press that he was a big fan of pro-wrestling during his schoolchild years and wanted to learn the foundation of pro-wrestling.
Muto stated that he is holding out hope for the newcomer, and almost seemed as if he was intent on rushing Hama into the ring, as even Kaz Hayashi stated that Hama was not ready to assume a full wrestling load.
Muto reminded the press of the last sumo to come out of the "Muto Room", citing Akebono's progress over the years as a wrestler and his beginnings in All Japan back in 2005, and that Hama would be just fine.
When asked on the differences between sumo and pro-wrestling, Hama stated that while in sumo you needed instantaneous power, while in pro-wrestling you need an abundance of tenacity, and that the sit-ups and running that the newcomers and young wrestlers participate in are very "tight". Hama closed by saying he wanted to aim his style after Yutaka Yoshie, who could move his weight around efficiently and gracefully.
It was also announced that All Japan will hold a show in Taiwan this November.
AJPW, 11/16/08
Taipei Dome