Question from a reader:
I am worried that if Asakura Mirai does not retire, Japanese martial arts may decline. I believe it is necessary to reevaluate the current situation of retaining players who cannot produce results. What do you think?
The Future of Asakura Mirai and Martial Arts
Recently, there has been no shortage of discussions in the martial arts world.
In particular, the debate about Asakura Mirai’s retirement has garnered a lot of attention among fans. As a martial arts fan myself, I truly feel how significant his presence is. If Asakura were to retire, it would indeed be a substantial loss for the Japanese martial arts scene.
The Impact of Hiramoto Ren
The doping allegations surrounding Hiramoto Ren, mentioned in the comments, are quite a complex issue. There was a storyline of Asakura retiring after an intense battle with him, so it’s unfortunate that this narrative has been disrupted. Personally, I really enjoy the drama between fighters when I watch martial arts matches. Therefore, it’s a bit saddening to think that Hiramoto’s issues have had an impact. For instance, I recently saw a comedy skit where a duo joked about a player considering retirement having the right to choose their final opponent. I found that to be incredibly amusing. I believe that the stories fighters hold should embellish their retirements.
After Asakura’s Retirement
I can understand the opinion that only Suzuki Chihiro can make Asakura retire. I strongly feel that I don’t want to see him lose any more. Watching his matches always leaves me on edge, and I can picture my family and me cheering for him together. My child even says, “Daddy, go Asakura!” so we watch the television, our hearts racing together.
What are your thoughts?
Ultimately, no matter how Asakura decides to retire, I believe his achievements are significant. I’m very curious about how the martial arts community will carry on after him. What do you all think? Please share your memories of Asakura or your thoughts on the future of martial arts in the comments! I would love to enjoy this topic together.