Yoshihiro Sato: Talks of the power of dreams
Looking back at 5 years ago.
The interview began with discussion of the the kickboxing match 5 years ago where Sato soundly trounced Yamamoto. "I downed him six times and the score was 50-39 which is almost unheard of in kickboxing." When reminded that Yamamoto also got back up six times, he replied, "When a man gets in a certain mode, he can take almost anything. It was only body blows, so there's no losing consciousness. But still, I was thinking, 'What's up with this guy!?."
-- So you couldn't finish him.
Sato: After the match, my master was so pissed. He told me to retire.
-- You had already thought of leaving kickboxing and joining K-1, but it wasn't a very good ending.
Sato: No. My master was mad. I was cold inside. I felt no passion. That's why this time is so important. I'm burning alive to fight!
-- Now you'll be facing each other as part of the top 16.
Sato: Yuya did well last year and even defeated Drago, who I lost to. To me, he's the top Japanese fighter and I'm jockeying for his spot.
-- Your thoughts about that fight?
Sato: He had good strategy and won well. It was a good fight. When I was in the ring after I lost to Drago, Yuya said to me, "I'll get him" and he did just that. Good job.
-- He took out your enemy. Were you glad?
Sato: Kind of. I didn't want him to lose, but I didn't want him getting any stronger either. If I'm gonna be jealous, I want it to be because my opponent is good. That gives me the right motivation. Makes me push myself.
-- It's an important fight as if you win, you'll be in the running for the Final. With your It's Showtime fight, you lost your winning streak.
Sato: If you only count the K-1 fights, I'm still on a winning streak. I'm going for 10 in a row. I'm glad I got to fight in It's Showtime. I fought a strong fighter and it was a good experience.
The interview continued with more discussion of the It's Showtime fight before the interview tried switching to more personal matters. Sato was deftly side-stepped discussion of his marriage last year and becoming a dad this year. He instead talked about how fighting overseas made it clear to him that K-1 is his true home. Discussion then moved to talk about his mentor, Master Omori, and the JK Factory, his gym.
Sato: I joined his gym in 8th grade. That was 16 years ago.
-- And Master Omori?
Sato: He calls me Ikkyu (a famous young Buddhist monk). At first he called me Middle-schooler. Even after I entered high school. Then one day, I shaved my head and he laughed and said, "From now you are Ikkyu!" He still calls me that. He's the only one, though. All my superiors have gone.
-- At the beginning, you were just one of many new students. When did he see your potential?
Sato: When I was in high school, I lost a match and Master was really mad. He said, "If you put your mind to it, you can become Japan champion!"
-- Did the nickname help?
Sato: All the other students with nicknames didn't really achieve anything special.
Master Omori is in charge of Sato's strategy in the ring, but he's@more than just a teacher. "It's been 16 years, so he's like a second@father. The gym was like school, but teachers only think of kids as@students. Master Omori doesn't care how old you are, he sees all his@students as fighters."
The interview ended with talk of dreams and goals. "You don't@really want dreams to come true. Then you have to find other dreams.@Goals are to be reached, dreams endlessly sought after." And when@asked about world domination? "Oh, that's a goal."
Sato vs. Yamamoto. A rematch with a lot riding on it for 29 year-old Sato. On July 5th, one fighter will be one step closer to the world championship.
