Although Syuri Kondo barely has any of her Filipina mother’s looks and speaks just a few Tagalog words, this women’s wrestling champion is all Filipino when it comes to dealing with people–exuding warmth and genuine hospitality.
“I guess that’s what she learned from me,” says mom Lucy Kondo.
Lucy who originally hails from the Southern Visayan Province of Leyte went to Japan to work and eventually start a family. She apologized for not teaching Syuri to speak Filipino explaining that they lived in a neighbourhood were everyone spoke only Japanese.
“I’ve noticed that Filipinos are hospitable and they are known for giving others a warm welcome and it includes embracing all, and most especially, the love (for others).” Syuri added
Her recent trip is only Syuri’s second time in the Philippines with the last one almost eight years ago, but her homecoming is made more special as she returns with some donations for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
When she learned about the relief efforts, Syuri Kondo asked her fellow wrestlers to share their blessings and collected a total of P190,000 which she personally turned over to South Pampanga Rotary Club.
A small ceremony, followed by a meet and greet was held at the Ruby function room of the Crowne Galeria Saturday November 30, 2013.
From Pretty girl to Karate Girl
Like a lot of girls Syuri Kondo originally wanted to dress pretty and become an actress. Tipping the scale at 5’4 ½”, the 24-year-old Syuri once worked as a model for fashion magazines and as a movie bit player after her high school graduation.
“I dreamed of becoming an actress when I was young,” she narrates in Japanese which was then translated by Susana Ishimura.
Syuri was 19 when she went to a talent entertainment audition center in Tokyo, where it caters to all forms of entertainment such as acting and wrestling.
It was there that she met former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Tajiri who had just begun his own Wrestling company called Smash.
“I met wrestler Tajiri in the talent center and he encouraged me to try my luck in wrestling, at that time all I really wanted was to be famous—whether it was through acting or wrestling. Then whatever it would be, that was the area I would focus on. I was among the 10 who passed the audition and joined the (wrestling) group.”
A black belter, she used the name Karate Girl and found quick success in the world of Wrestling. Syuri began her career mostly fighting male wrestlers as a novelty due to the lack of female opponents.
Besides her ‘cute’ looks, Tajiri says he took Syuri Kondo under his wing because he saw and a lot of potential and determination.
Syuri has since been gracing the wrestling stage for the past five years and has won the Women’s championship several times.
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| A bruised knuckle from a recent match |
After retiring the Smash Diva Championship in 2012, Syuri became part of the roster of the promotion that followed Smash called Wrestling New Classic (WNC).
She also fights in mixed martial arts and still has an undefeated record. Her in-ring talent and persona has gained her a fan base that goes beyond Japan as she has also fought in Mexico, the US and Europe.
On November 18, WNC and Reina Women’s World Championship announced that Syuri had signed a dual contract with the two promotions making her the first female wrestler to hold such a contract and distinction.
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| Showing off some of her battle scars |
Now, Syuri is eyeing to conquer the Philippines as she is slated to return in January to promote the sport. With Syuri’s fame and influence, Reina Women’s World Championship hopes to establish a professional wrestling promotion in Syuri’s mother’s native country, the Philippines. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding this year, Reina Women’s World Championship has had a long-standing relationship with the Philippines.
“We have started working on a project that aims to establish a training center for professional wrestling in the Philippines,” relates Ankei (Riki) Tamashiro, President of Reina Women’s World Championship.
On January 25, 2014, that dream will finally materialize with the first wrestling tournament in the country to be held at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City under the Reina Women’s World Championship promotion. And Syuri Kondo, with her signature moves like double-knee backbreaker, half-hatch suplex, multiple kick variations, Hurricanrana, running knee strike, will headline the said wrestling tournament which qualifies her as the perfect poster girl for the promotion of professional wrestling in the Philippines.
A young woman of many talents, Syuri has dabbled in music, working with the female singing group Apple Tale on a collaboration called “Apple Tale with Syuri” that released its debut album, “ChouzetsuOtome: MushaShugyou Hen” on January 13, 2012. In 2013, Syuri came up with her first gravure DVD entitled “Watashi.”
Syuri Kondo serves as an inspiration to women all over the world to make something great out of their passions in life. In so doing, it is most likely that even what is deemed improbable will be achieved.
