KAIN
The really big Akebono
Now Bob Sapp will have to look up during the fight. Much bigger than the American Beast, Akebono now is just weighting 200kg, Akebono is preparing himself to his debut at K-1, on December 31. Like Sapp, the guy borned Chad Rowan is a celebrity in Japan, after being the first non-Japanese to become a Yokozuna, the most important title in Sumo. Training with Steve Kalakoda, former trainer of he Mike Bernardo and Jan Nortje, Akebono is impressing Kalakoda with the power on his hand. "He's the most powerful guy that had passed on my hand", stated Kalakoda. After drinking just three 500ml-bottles of water, Akebono talked with our friend Monty DiPietro about this new experience and what he is waiting for the fight.
Are you training everyday?
Almost every day now, we have Wednesdays and Sundays off.
Can you describe your training day?
In the morning, it's running and weights, and in the afternoon I work on the bags and do some sparring.
How do you feel at the end of the day?
Well, I feel a lot lighter! (Akebono has lost more than 10kg in training and now weighs just over 200kg. Kalakoda hopes to have him near 180kg for the fight)
What has been the most difficult part of your training?
In Sumo, pushing at your opponent, there are a lot of muscles that you don't use very much. It is a challenge to make the adjustment, to get those different new muscles working.
How about kicks, are you worried about them?
I'm new to K-1, and so I'm worried a bit about everything. In Sumo, we have a chance to train with and watch the other fighters before a tournament, but in K-1 the fighters are separate, so I don't know what Bob is working on. I don't know what to expect.
Do you think your knee is strong enough to take kicks?
Well, I've already made the decision to fight, so even if my knees were bad, I'd tell you they were good! (laughs)
Do you have any previous boxing experience?
When I was 11 years old, I boxed for two and a half weeks. I was KO'd by my coach, so I quit.
HIT & HIIT Jedi
http://www.mma.sfd.pl/
Now Bob Sapp will have to look up during the fight. Much bigger than the American Beast, Akebono now is just weighting 200kg, Akebono is preparing himself to his debut at K-1, on December 31. Like Sapp, the guy borned Chad Rowan is a celebrity in Japan, after being the first non-Japanese to become a Yokozuna, the most important title in Sumo. Training with Steve Kalakoda, former trainer of he Mike Bernardo and Jan Nortje, Akebono is impressing Kalakoda with the power on his hand. "He's the most powerful guy that had passed on my hand", stated Kalakoda. After drinking just three 500ml-bottles of water, Akebono talked with our friend Monty DiPietro about this new experience and what he is waiting for the fight.
Are you training everyday?
Almost every day now, we have Wednesdays and Sundays off.
Can you describe your training day?
In the morning, it's running and weights, and in the afternoon I work on the bags and do some sparring.
How do you feel at the end of the day?
Well, I feel a lot lighter! (Akebono has lost more than 10kg in training and now weighs just over 200kg. Kalakoda hopes to have him near 180kg for the fight)
What has been the most difficult part of your training?
In Sumo, pushing at your opponent, there are a lot of muscles that you don't use very much. It is a challenge to make the adjustment, to get those different new muscles working.
How about kicks, are you worried about them?
I'm new to K-1, and so I'm worried a bit about everything. In Sumo, we have a chance to train with and watch the other fighters before a tournament, but in K-1 the fighters are separate, so I don't know what Bob is working on. I don't know what to expect.
Do you think your knee is strong enough to take kicks?
Well, I've already made the decision to fight, so even if my knees were bad, I'd tell you they were good! (laughs)
Do you have any previous boxing experience?
When I was 11 years old, I boxed for two and a half weeks. I was KO'd by my coach, so I quit.
HIT & HIIT Jedi
http://www.mma.sfd.pl/
Krzysztof Piekarz
