Childcare leave in New Japan Pro Wrestling Reason why Kazuchika Okada gave up January 27 11:52
"Right now, I'm on the verge of breaking down." "In professional wrestling, I've only given up once in the last 10 years, but in childcare, I've given up
dozens
of times in the last three months."
New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Kazuchika Okada is said to have restored the current popularity of professional wrestling with his achievements and overwhelming performance.
Last year, my first child, my eldest son, was born, and as a professional wrestler, I declared an unusual two-week childcare leave.
What awaited Okada, who can be said to be a symbol of strength, was an unexpected “give up” day.
What is the new face of Okada, who is facing childcare, and what message would you like to convey to parents who are raising children?
(Sports News Department Reporter Shohei Matsuyama)
Is that Kazuchika Okada on maternity leave?
Last August, an article caught my eye by chance.
“Kazuchika Okada “I was able to take childcare leave”
” He won the New Japan Pro-Wrestling tournament “G1 Climax” to determine the strongest heavyweight wrestler, and the next day, he surprised the world by announcing the birth of his first child and taking childcare leave. And Kazuchika Okada.
Speaking of Okada, he is known by the nickname “Rainmaker”, which means “the man who rains money on the professional wrestling world”, and is a popular wrestler with blond hair and flashy performances.
I couldn't help but wonder, "Is that Kazuchika Okada raising children?"
"Don't do what everyone else does"
New Japan Pro-Wrestling was founded in 1972 by Antonio Inoki, who passed away last October, and is a long-established organization that has produced many famous wrestlers such as Riki Choshu and Tatsuji Fujinami.
Okada is currently leading the popularity.
Combining a 1.91-meter physique and high physical ability, he made full use of his high-scoring drop kick and his signature finishing technique, "Rain Maker," to achieve a record-breaking 12 consecutive defenses of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. And so on, he climbed to the top wrestler.
In addition to his gorgeous playing style, his mic performance is also one of the attractions, and he is also considered to be a central figure that sparked the boom of women who like professional wrestling.
After graduating from junior high school,
Okada decided to become a professional wrestler at the age of 15, and went to Mexico to train and make his debut.
His costumes, remarks, and fighting methods such as rope work have been meticulously detailed, and he has given off a strong presence by thoroughly pursuing originality.
Why the “childcare leave declaration”
How does Okada, a professional wrestler, deal with childcare?
It was December last year that I responded to NHK's coverage.
From the end of August, he took two weeks of childcare leave, and at this point Okada's eldest son was three months old.
He was just at the starting point of balancing professional wrestling and childcare.
"This time it's not about professional wrestling, but about childcare," he said, and with a gentle expression that I've never seen in the ring, he replied, "No, no, thank you very much."
First of all, we asked the reason for the “childcare leave declaration”, which can be said to be unusual for a professional wrestler.
Reporter
: “Why did you decide to take childcare leave?”
Okada
: “The number one thing is that I simply wanted to spend more time with my son. But to be honest, it's my first time being a father myself, and I don't have the luxury to support that kind of thing. I want to
Reporter
: "I've never heard of a professional wrestler taking childcare leave, but is it related to the policy of 'doing something different from others'?"
Okada
: Yes. But as a person, in a sense, I think it's normal. It may not be something you do as a wrestler, but I think taking childcare leave is a natural thing to do. When wrestlers went on tour, they would see their children walking and talking.In fact, after my childcare leave, I went on tour for about two weeks, and when I came back, I thought, 'Oh, It must have been this big.’ So I think it was great that we were able to spend the first two weeks together.”
Unexpected real face "I'm not good at hugging"
Okada said she took childcare leave to "cherish being with us".
Parenting isn't all fun.
Rather serious things...
Okada, who has been battle-hardened in professional wrestling and boasts overwhelming strength, seems to be able to easily overcome the obstacles she encounters in childcare.
As I continued to ask questions, I came to see an unexpected real face as a father.
Reporter
: “Is there anything you are good at when raising children?”
Okada
: “There are a lot of things I'm not good at, but I think I'm good at giving milk.”
Reporter
: "On the contrary, I'm not good at this"
Okada
: “I guess it’s a hug?”
Reporter
: "It's surprising."
Okada
: (In professional wrestling) people are throwing heavy weights like that, but when a man picks up a baby, he cries. The first time I picked it up, it was about 3kg, but I couldn't lift it.I was like, 'Where?
Reporter
: “Aren’t you a pro when it comes to lifting, so to speak?”
Okada
: “I was throwing (a wrestler) 160kg.
“I am heartbroken now”
It seems that Okada's real face has gradually begun to catch a glimpse
.
Reporter
: “How do you want to face childcare in the future?”
Okada
: I agree... Right now, I'm on the verge of breaking down. After about three months, there are times when the father just can't do anything about it. It seems like I can't do it.But when my mother picks me up, I become quiet.I'm at a time like that right now.I think that's probably why some people break down.I'm trying to do my best without giving up. I think there will be a lot of things to come, so I'm looking forward to it, and I'd like to feel my child's growth."
Reporter
: No matter how many times you squat, have you ever had a broken heart?
Okada
: “It’s hard to give up in professional wrestling. If we gave up, wouldn’t we lose?
Reporter
: “Childcare isn’t about fighting someone.”
Okada
: "Yeah. It breaks my heart when I can't stop crying. I've given up on childcare many times... I've only given up once in the last 10 years in professional wrestling, but I've only given up on childcare in the last 3 months. I have already given up dozens of times.”
Reporter
: "I've only given up once in professional wrestling, but in childcare, I can feel how hard it is to give up dozens of times in three months."
Okada
: "How many times have I called my wife? While my child is crying, I'll call her and say, 'When are you coming back?'"
In addition, there were many heartbreaking scenes, such as when I tried to change his diaper, he peeed, and when I tried to put him to sleep, he threw up milk.
Even star wrestlers who don't show their suffering in the ring share the same difficulties of parenting.
It was a moment that gave me some courage.
Change of feeling “So that I can go home in good spirits”
Okada revealed that in such a new life, there was a change in his feelings towards professional wrestling.
Reporter
: “Has the birth of your child changed your outlook on life?”
Okada
: “I don’t think anything has changed that much. I really want to be injury-free. There is such a thing as
Reporter
: “What impact did you have on professional wrestling?”
Okada
: "Well, I'm just trying to get back on track, and I haven't changed my style at all. From my opponent's point of view, it doesn't matter."
A professional wrestler who overuses his body.
Of course, there are many injuries, and as the active life gets longer, it becomes a state of wounds all over the body.
Okada says that the birth of his son has made this feeling stronger.
Reporter
: “There are some athletes who want to continue playing for a long time after having a child, or want to show their children that they look cool. What do you think about Mr. Okada?”
Okada
: “I want to show you what I want to show you, but I want to be healthy when I grow up.
Reporter
: “That kind of thinking has become stronger.”
Okada
: I don't want to be too particular about pro wrestling. I spend more time with my children, so I think that's the most important thing. I might end up doing it all the time."
Experience "give up" and "be spoiled"
He says that he experienced “give up” in childcare many times and found a new sense of values.
Reporter
: “What kind of message would you like to give to those who raise children in the same way?”
Okada
: "I think it's better not to push yourself too hard. If you have someone who can spoil you, I think it's okay to be spoiled. I think that by being spoiled by others, children can also receive various kinds of love.I think that being spoiled is rare these days (when I look at the world).That's why I want to be spoiled a lot and be a good father. I will become
At first glance , it
may sound like an unreliable message, but I felt that it was a concept that came to me because I was placed in the harsh stage of professional wrestling, where I continued to face myself and fight through with my own strength. .
In this era when human relationships tend to be weak, it may be good to reconsider the value of "being dependent on others".
Shohei Matsuyama
Reporter, Sports News Department
Joined in 2010 from a sales position at Sports Newspaper Company
After working at the Oita, Chiba, and Hiroshima stations, currently
in charge of professional baseball and urban sports