My experience at JB Sports
It truly was a dream come true, I went two days ago and I’m still in shock. I am a kickboxer originally, fighting for the Western Australia state u18 team. But 3 years ago I got super into Ippo and decided I am going to go study in Japan (as part of my degree) and train as a boxer in Tokyo. So for the past 3 months I have been living in Waseda and training out of a gym nearby. I am happier than I have ever been, boxing gym culture in Japan (really trying not to sound cringe here) is just as brotherly and personal as it is in Ippo. Compared to where I’m from a lot of the time I feel like my coaches treated me like clients rather than people. But here it’s just different.
Then two days ago I finally made the trip to JB Sports, and whilst quite quiet, just being around the series (which imo has the kindest and most supportive and loyal fandom) was amazing. I bought some merch and my coach from my gym set me up with a coach there to do some training. I got to meet the young boxers who will be the future of Japanese fighting, as well as some more veteran faces.
11/10 it is one of the happiest times of my life.