Interview with Satoshi Ishii Part 1
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Satoshi Ishii won the gold medal of “over 100 kg”, which is the heaviest judo boy. At that time, he was 21 years old, a 4th year student at Kokushikan University. Approximately two months after his gold medal was won, the young judoka, who is expected to win the Olympics in a row, announced that he would become a mixed martial arts fighter and surprised the world.
After that, he fought around the world, and last year he stood in the ring of the standing technique “K-1”. He has won two races and two wins so far, and will challenge the K-1 open weight tournament of “K’FESTA.5” to be held on April 3. What is Ishii’s goal and awareness of Kyotaro, who also participates in tournaments?
Ishii participating in the K-1 open weight tournament
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I want to learn the technique of hitting with K-1
――You made your K-1 debut in September last year, but I think you were surprised that Ishii tried to stand up.
“That’s right. I was often asked,’Why do you appear in K-1?’,’ You can’t hit?’ Is neither a kickboxer nor a boxer, but I thought it would be best to play a batting match to raise the level of batting.
I’m good at grappler and takedown, but that’s because I have a backbone called judo. I am now because I have made full use of my judo experience. That’s why I thought that playing a match with only hitting and no escape was the best way to improve hitting skills. There are also games that only have ground fighting, but thanks to that, I have had the experience of increasing the winning percentage in submissions. Let’s feel K-1 with our skin and learn. “
――Why did you choose K-1 among the many standing skill groups?
“I also wanted to go up to the stage I had been admiring since I was little. I think there are other mixed martial arts who want to go to K-1.” However, when considering my career and victory or defeat, there should be some players who say, “I want to get out, but I can’t get out,” because kickboxers have an advantage in kickboxing rules. Why do you do it? “
――What is your impression of the K-1 that Ishii had longed for when he was a child?
“I was watching both heavyweight and middleweight. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? The heavyweight is an image of muscular foreigners hitting each other. For me, who was small, Ultraman and Godzilla are fighting. It was like fighting heroes. “
