The Man Known as Grappler Waki

January 18, 2026, marked the final of the Rookie of the Year tournament for Wakisaka, also known as "Grappler Waki."
The welterweight division Wakisaka entered was a three-man contest, and as a seeded fighter, this final match served as his very first bout.

Amidst a unique tension filling the venue, he brilliantly shook off the pressure and claimed the title of Rookie of the Year.

However, this victory was by no means achieved by his own strength alone. Leading up to this day, Wakisaka traveled far and wide, putting in gritty and almost foolishly honest effort. Looking back on that journey, the faces of the many people who supported him come to mind.

What pushed Wakisaka forward was the presence of everyone who accepted him beyond the boundaries of his own gym and trained him with such passion.

By placing himself in the tense, unfamiliar environment of visiting other gyms for training,
Wakisaka was able to grow
both mentally and physically, becoming much tougher.

Akiyama-san, the representative of Morning Standard, provided deep support not only in terms of physical conditioning but also regarding the mentality of a fighter.
There is no doubt that the sweat shed here led to his tenacity in the final moments on the big stage.

Samoan-san, the representative of Samoan Fight Brothers. He injected the soul of "striking"—the missing piece for Wakisaka, who is a grappler—into him. His figure, desperately clinging to every opportunity to absorb new techniques, was just like that of a monk in training.

Every Friday, Wakisaka practiced thoroughly with Hashida-san.
Since I am a lightweight myself, the environment where Wakisaka could grapple at full strength with Hashida-san, who has a similar physique, was invaluable and irreplaceable.

I have been greatly indebted to Shiva-san for a long time. When he came to Yamaguchi, he went out of his way to come train with us, and on the day of the match, he stood by Wakisaka's side as his second. I am convinced that this victory was only possible because of the precise instructions Shiva-san provided.

Also, we must not forget the presence of Dai-san, who has had a tremendous influence on us daily. I personally learn so much from Dai-san every day. His teachings and attitude became part of Wakisaka's flesh and blood, both through me and directly, and became a major pillar supporting this victory.

It was only because of the support and passionate guidance of so many people that he was able to win.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude once again.

The moment Wakisaka's victory was decided, witnessing the sight of the referee raising his hand, emotions I cannot put into words welled up in my chest.

"I'm glad I do martial arts."

And,
"I'm truly glad I started LegLock Academy.".

It was a moment when I could truly feel that from the bottom of my heart. A single person striving straight toward a goal, receiving help from those around them, and ultimately achieving the best possible result.
Being able to watch that dazzling process from the closest vantage point is the greatest joy I could have as a coach.
The scenery Wakisaka showed me was a great salvation for me as well, and it has become a source of hope that will fuel my future activities.

Wakisaka is not just a fighter who is strong in martial arts. He is a wonderful man who is full of humanity, warm, and possesses a straightforward heart. He may be a little clumsy at times, but he hides more sincerity and passion than anyone else to make up for it.

As a friend, I am truly proud to have touched upon his essence and realized his charm. By winning the championship, he proved that this is a world where a straightforward man like him can be rewarded.

The title of Rookie of the Year might be nothing more than a passing point for top-tier athletes. However, this step holds immense value for him personally, and for the dojo as well.

To everyone who supported and cheered for him, thank you so much.