English translation
Yuma Anzai's "Promise to Me" (part 11)
Weekly Pro-Wrestling
No.2338, 2025/1/29 issue, p.33
How Do Pro-Wrestlers Welcome the New Year?
☆How did you see in the New Year after the Yoyogi show on New Year's Eve?
Anzai:
After every match, I take a rest. I don't get that sluggish new year feeling at all, but after the match, I think about giving my body a rest. I didn't watch Kohaku or anything. But, I did all kinds of things with my friend from university...
☆All kinds of things.
Anzai:
Yeah (laughs). He said he didn't want to spend the new year by himself, so I rushed back to Gunma and we saw in the new year together. I did the first shrine visit of the new year, too, and I'm sure prayed to have an exciting time with pro-wrestling with no injuries, but... (wry smile)
☆You suddenly started bleeding a lot at Korakuen Hall on January 3rd. Was that the first time you bled that much?
Anzai:
I looked at the footage again, and Ashino-san and I were throwing elbows, and we were really laying into each other. Then, I lowered my face, and when I did that, I think Ashino-san accidentally hit me with his elbow.
☆How did it feel to be fighting while you were bleeding like that for the first time?
Anzai:
I was shaking for a little while. I thought my forehead felt warm, then I realised I was bleeding. But, I didn't know how big the cut was or how much I was bleeding, and I had a rush of adrenaline, so it didn't hurt or anything. So, I didn't realise how much blood was coming out, but when it got into my eyes, it felt like I was under water, in a daze. It was difficult to see.
☆How was the cut?
Anzai:
At the hospital, I said I didn't want a scar, and they told me staples would be good for that, and I got five staples.
☆You're aiming to become an actor/pro-wrestler, so you can't have a scar on your face, right?
Anzai:
Hahaha, I think it's best to think about the future. It'll be fine whether I have a scar or not. I'm fighting every day, so I'm not holding anything against Ashino-san. If anything, I feel bad that my bleeding so much became such a big part of that match...
☆How long did you have to keep the staples in?
Anzai:
They were scheduled to be taken out on the 10th, but I had a feeling they'd leave a scar...
☆It won't interfere with your next match, will it?
Anzai:
I should be able to fight with no problems from the Fan Appreciation Day (January 18th in Shinjuku)!
☆At the moment, you have to hide it with your fringe.
Anzai:
Yeah. It's like this (*lifts fringe*).
☆Aahh, what a handsome cut...
Anzai:
Hahahaha! But, I was able to win and leave the ring by myself, so my injury wasn't that big of a deal. It was like that before with my knee, too, so if I'm able to go back by myself, I don't count it as an injury. I'm appreciative of the people who worry about me, and I feel bad about it, but don't worry about it, I want to have another singles match with Ashino-san someday.
☆Maybe you won't bleed so much next time.
Anzai:
If bleeding helps me win, I'll bleed as much as I need to!
☆But, when you came out later on to make your challenge for the Triple Crown, everyone was worried because you had all those bandages wrapped around you.
Anzai:
Hahahaha! Now that I think about it, I'd had so many bandages wrapped around me, I didn't really know what kind of condition I was in. When I saw the photos afterwards on social media, I had so many bandages it looked like I couldn't see.
☆Anyway, the main thing is that you're OK, but that was an unexpected start to 2025 for you.
Anzai:
I didn't see that coming, either. It's going to be a thorny path again this year, it's definitely going to be rough (wry smile).
Translated into English by Michelle @puroresueikaiwa
Please do not use without permission and credit.