(Sometimes you have only one friend, and he’s somewhere at the bottom of that next mug of beer.)
In a recent interview with Sportsnavi (via Suki) Takanori Gomi talks about his fall from the top of the lightweight division and his loss to Satoru Kitaoka (video here, and it doesn’t take long) in the Sengoku lightweight Grand Prix. Give him credit for owning up to his poor performance, as Gomi more or less says that he has sucked lately and doesn’t seem entirely hopeful that things will get better.
As you saw, I couldn’t do anything. I suppose fans who knew me since PRIDE considered that I looked like a totally different person. I don’t even know why. I didn’t feel any energy in the ring. After the fight, I felt like I was free. I thought I fulfilled my duty.
- Do you mean that you resigned from a representer of the top lightweight fighter?
I suppose so. I hadn’t proven myself in the last few fights. I was training, yet everything was fall in apart. I couldn’t put together because my training wasn’t enough. My skills went down in the last 2 years. I experienced a lot in the last 2 years. I quit Kiguchi dojo without thinking well, and started my gym. I felt responsibility to take care of my students, and I was passive about my fight. I was just waiting and see who I fought with.
- The title of the tournament was “road to Gomi”
I have no excuse about my performance and my loss. Kitaoka was entirely better than me. I I hope he becomes a great champion and defends his title.
When asked if he would take Kitaoka up on his offer of a rematch, Gomi wondered aloud whether Kitaoka would still want another go, saying, “He completely dominated me. I want him to move forward to bring more fans to Sengoku.”
Jesus Christ, Gomi. What happened to you? While I appreciate your willingness to accept the loss and not make a bunch of excuses that will only make you look pathetic in the long run, it seems as though you’ve lost your motivation and perhaps the will to live. Somebody test this guy’s testosterone levels or something.
He’s got alot of talent yet lacks motivation. Reminds me of someone else…
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Gomi wasn’t in the WVR Sengoku lightweight tournament. He fought Kitaoka for the belt after Kitaoka had already won the tourney.