Former K-1 Lightweight and Super Featherweight Champion Koya Urabe recently welcomed Pro Wrestling NOAH starlet Yu Owada to his dojo in Meguro for a special masterclass.
Chiba native Urabe, 34, founded his ALONZA Kickboxing Dojo in 2020 and called upon two of his leading students, K-1 knockout artist Yuta Matsuyama, 20, and once-beaten Krush Atomweight Champion Kira Matsutani, 21, for the cross-promotional event.
Fast-rising Owada, 24, who only made his pro wrestling debut in 2023, has a background in Shorinji Kempo and amateur wrestling and moved from Hokkaido to Tokyo to train at Animal Hamaguchi’s famed gym for three years before passing NOAH’s dojo induction test.
The training session was organised and filmed by EZIGEN, a new protein powder brand created under the supervision of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
After a warm-up, Matsuyama showcased his spinning middle kick and Matsutani illustrated her potent high side kick.
Both fighters showed the snap on their outside low kicks before Owada was summoned to hold the pads and feel the full force of his highly-talented kickboxing counterparts.
Owada was shocked by the power of Matsutani’s teep kick and offered a respectable effort when challenged to hit the pads and the bag. Owada will face Mexican heavyweight Galeno del Mal in his next match on Saturday 21 September at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo.
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