Our Town Inagi 2016: Shigemori Yota, Watanabe Kenji

The Secret of Strength: Reaching the Top with Kickboxing

The two individuals who sweat daily at the Ibara Dojo Inagi Kickboxing Gym are both Japanese champions in kickboxing. We heard their story from childhood, the starting point, to the moment they grabbed the belt.

Both of you currently live in Inagi City, but where are you originally from? Also, did you play sports since you were little?
Shigemori: I was born and raised in Inagi. I started kickboxing at the age of 5, and I also practiced soccer, swimming, and gymnastics as other activities.
Watanabe: I am originally from Tochigi Prefecture. I have loved sports since I was a child; I participated in track and field in junior high school and played rugby in high school.

Please tell us the reasons you started kickboxing and the journey up to now.
Player Shigemori: I started kickboxing at the age of 5 when my parents took me, and two months later I fought in my first match. The reasons I continued were that I was able to win from the beginning and that it felt more suited to me than other sports. Later, in the 5th grade, I transferred to the Ihara Dojo, practiced hard, became the bantamweight champion in my senior year of high school, achieved a two-weight class championship last October, and I am currently the featherweight champion.
Player Watanabe: I didn't see much success in rugby, which I started in high school, but I learned about the world of kickboxing where individual skill matters, and I knocked on the door of the Ihara Dojo at the age of 21. During my university years, I became the student champion, and later began my professional career, winning the welterweight championship belt in July of 2014.

What was your state of mind when you first held the champion belt?
Shigemori: In my first title match, I fought with all my might and won by KO in the second round. Even when I held the belt, I didn't feel it much at first, but now that I am in a position to be targeted as a champion, I have begun to develop a sense of being a champion.
Watanabe: I felt relieved to be able to hold the belt. In fact, I challenged for the title match three times and was able to win on the third attempt. I thought I would regret it for life if I couldn't take the belt, so my perseverance in challenging was worth it.

Please give a message to those who are about to take on a challenge.
Shigemori: Many may think that it takes a long time for people to change, but I felt that it doesn't take much time through kickboxing. In kickboxing, the training menu is different from usual and we build our body and motivation in the three weeks leading up to the match. People can change even in a short period.
Watanabe: I like the saying "If you try, you can achieve it," and I believe that if you do it, you can. Don't give up easily; take on the challenge. I sacrificed various things to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a champion, and I was able to realize it. If you challenge yourself with everything you have, your dreams can definitely come true.