Post by Goldash on Nov 26, 2007 14:09:25 GMT -5
MAUI, HI - Just as Colt Brennan and the Hawai'i Warriors are the most talked-about sleepers in the college football press, 22-year old AKINA just may be the most talked-about newcomer in wrestling today. A recent graduate of the University of Hawai'i himself, Akina feels the press surrounding his recent squash of Busiwa Tanao is unwarranted.
"I just went out there, did my job, and left," Akina laughs in his deep, scowling voice, "it doesn't really matter how long I beat him in. I have respect for Mr. Tanao and I remember watching him on TV a while back, but, at the end of the day, it's all about doing your job and doing it well. I guess I may have done a bit too much too soon, or something like that."
The rookie has much to learn about his business, however. His debut match, for instance, was criticized as being too over-the-top and flashy by URWL fans in attendance. "Yeah, I was flying around in there, I guess," Akina admitted. "The guys in the back were amazed and disappointed at the same time. Most of them just patted me on the back and told me to 'calm down', and I kinda realized from there that wrestling isn't all about flashy moves. I'm taking it day by day now and just trying to keep a level head about my style, however unique it might be."
The topic, almost randomly, switched onto his tattoos. He pointed out a few new ones he recently received on his stomach and back.
"The new one on my stomach, 'kai', is for my little brother Kai, who died about...what, five years ago, now...he had a severe case of cerebral palsy and passed away at the age of ten." I could see the gigantic Akina was beginning to slowly lose his composure. "...he kept fighting, man. They never...those doctors never expected him to go that far. They thought four or five years would be too much for him, but he went on fighting. Every moment I spent with him was precious, just because I wanted to be there for him, you know? This is my way of honoring him, and what he did for me." On his lower back, below the back tattoo he likes to call the "mechanical totem pole", is the word "MAUI", a shout-out to his hometown. "I wanted my family and friends back home to know I always had them with me whenever I stepped onto the stage, and that may be the perfect chance for me to send them a message." Every one of Akina's tattoos has a special personal meaning for him, but since he's pretty much covered in ink, I declined to ask about the others.
The Warrior alum, during our chat, also briefly hinted at his alma mater's successes in college football. "Colt (Brennan) and I were acquaintances, we met a few times at some athletic meetings a few years back, and watching him on TV, you wouldn't think a humble dude like that could pass for 500 yards a game..but, yeah, the guys are doing great and I'm loving Hawai'i's chances in the bowl picture."
Akina's wrestling career, however short it may be so far, is looking increasingly promising. But, as a person, Akina chooses a humble, yet determined approach to the daunting tasks ahead of him in his career.
"I want to take it on one day at a time. There'll be challenges ahead, but I don't wanna think too far ahead. If I take care of the present, the future will take care of itself."
When I asked about his match in Episode 4 against Scorpion, Akina humbly replied once more:
"I have respect for Scorpion's accomplishments. He's an icon in the URWL, winning all of those Hardkore Titles and the URWL Championship itself, but I can't be staring him down and thinking about what he's done and how far he went in the past. When I'm in the ring with Scorpion, he becomes just another opponent. I can't let anything distract me from doing my job. Win or lose, after the match, I'll still respect him."
If anything, Akina proved to me that he's mature beyond his years. Sure, he'll make mistakes in his rookie campaign, but the mentality he's showing will undoubtedly lead him places he hasn't been. We've already seen a quick ascension to the top of the URWL ranks by a rookie this season (Seth Stern), but what sets Akina apart from Stern is his will to "do his job" in the ring, win or lose, which, honestly, can't be said about Seth's overreliance on bending the rules and attacking URWL officials.
Akina undoubtedly possesses the heart and mind to succeed as a URWL competitor. Will his numerous intangibles end up giving him wins in the near future? Only time will tell. For now, Akina remains the URWL's most exciting newcomer.
"I just went out there, did my job, and left," Akina laughs in his deep, scowling voice, "it doesn't really matter how long I beat him in. I have respect for Mr. Tanao and I remember watching him on TV a while back, but, at the end of the day, it's all about doing your job and doing it well. I guess I may have done a bit too much too soon, or something like that."
The rookie has much to learn about his business, however. His debut match, for instance, was criticized as being too over-the-top and flashy by URWL fans in attendance. "Yeah, I was flying around in there, I guess," Akina admitted. "The guys in the back were amazed and disappointed at the same time. Most of them just patted me on the back and told me to 'calm down', and I kinda realized from there that wrestling isn't all about flashy moves. I'm taking it day by day now and just trying to keep a level head about my style, however unique it might be."
The topic, almost randomly, switched onto his tattoos. He pointed out a few new ones he recently received on his stomach and back.
"The new one on my stomach, 'kai', is for my little brother Kai, who died about...what, five years ago, now...he had a severe case of cerebral palsy and passed away at the age of ten." I could see the gigantic Akina was beginning to slowly lose his composure. "...he kept fighting, man. They never...those doctors never expected him to go that far. They thought four or five years would be too much for him, but he went on fighting. Every moment I spent with him was precious, just because I wanted to be there for him, you know? This is my way of honoring him, and what he did for me." On his lower back, below the back tattoo he likes to call the "mechanical totem pole", is the word "MAUI", a shout-out to his hometown. "I wanted my family and friends back home to know I always had them with me whenever I stepped onto the stage, and that may be the perfect chance for me to send them a message." Every one of Akina's tattoos has a special personal meaning for him, but since he's pretty much covered in ink, I declined to ask about the others.
The Warrior alum, during our chat, also briefly hinted at his alma mater's successes in college football. "Colt (Brennan) and I were acquaintances, we met a few times at some athletic meetings a few years back, and watching him on TV, you wouldn't think a humble dude like that could pass for 500 yards a game..but, yeah, the guys are doing great and I'm loving Hawai'i's chances in the bowl picture."
Akina's wrestling career, however short it may be so far, is looking increasingly promising. But, as a person, Akina chooses a humble, yet determined approach to the daunting tasks ahead of him in his career.
"I want to take it on one day at a time. There'll be challenges ahead, but I don't wanna think too far ahead. If I take care of the present, the future will take care of itself."
When I asked about his match in Episode 4 against Scorpion, Akina humbly replied once more:
"I have respect for Scorpion's accomplishments. He's an icon in the URWL, winning all of those Hardkore Titles and the URWL Championship itself, but I can't be staring him down and thinking about what he's done and how far he went in the past. When I'm in the ring with Scorpion, he becomes just another opponent. I can't let anything distract me from doing my job. Win or lose, after the match, I'll still respect him."
If anything, Akina proved to me that he's mature beyond his years. Sure, he'll make mistakes in his rookie campaign, but the mentality he's showing will undoubtedly lead him places he hasn't been. We've already seen a quick ascension to the top of the URWL ranks by a rookie this season (Seth Stern), but what sets Akina apart from Stern is his will to "do his job" in the ring, win or lose, which, honestly, can't be said about Seth's overreliance on bending the rules and attacking URWL officials.
Akina undoubtedly possesses the heart and mind to succeed as a URWL competitor. Will his numerous intangibles end up giving him wins in the near future? Only time will tell. For now, Akina remains the URWL's most exciting newcomer.
