On Saturday, March 27, 2021, professional wrestler Makoto Funaki, aka "Hybrid Wrestler," uploaded a video on his YouTube page talking about "e-sports.
Who is Mr. Funaki?
Makoto Funaki made his debut as a professional wrestler in March 1985 with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (under the name Yuji Funaki at the time of his debut).
He then moved to the new UWF in 1989.
In 1993, he launched Pancrase, the original mixed martial arts organization.
After a successful career as a mixed martial artist, he retired in 2000.
He returned to active duty in 2007, and since then has been active in numerous rings, including All Japan Pro-Wrestling, and currently competes in Pro-Wrestling NOAH.
Funaki talks about e-sports
In the video, Funaki talks about how he used to play "invader games that imitated tennis" in his childhood at his parents' coffee shop, how he played "Heiankyo Alien" and "Game Center Arashi" in junior high school, and how he played "Spartan X" and "Spartan X" while working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He also talked about his memories of video games, such as playing "Spartan X" and "Mario Bros." in junior high school, and " HYBRID WRESTLER: Legend of the Art of Fight ing," a video game about himself that was released during his time in Pancrase. He also talks about live-streaming, professional training schools for professional gamers, prize money, and more.
While comparing the differences between physical sports and e-sports, Mr. Funaki spoke positively about e-sports, noting that e-sports is being considered for the Olympics and that professional gamers should actively engage in aerobic exercise and pay attention to their diet due to the accumulated brain damage caused by e-sports. He also spoke about his own theory from his unique perspective as a martial artist, such as the fact that e-sports is being considered for the Olympics and that professional gamers should actively engage in aerobic exercise and pay attention to their diet because of the accumulated brain damage caused by e-sports.
Shochiku Entertainments, to which Mr. Funaki belongs, has been focusing on gaming events and e-sports. CyberFight, a subsidiary of CyberAgent.
Given this, it is possible that Mr. Funaki may become more involved in e-sports in some way in the future.
We look forward to seeing more of Mr. Funaki in the e-sports industry in the future.
Sorry, this article is only available in Japanese. at the moment.
