Wrestling is a popular combat sport in Japan and the US that through the years has also enjoyed immense following in the Philippines. But while there are many wrestling fans in the Philippines, the sport itself is not played professionally in the country.
Japanese-Filipino looker Syuri Kondo is determined to change the landscape of the local combat sports arena by introducing professional wrestling in the country of her mother’s origin. Simply known by her first name Syuri and by her ring name KG, Syuri Kondo is no newbie in the art of wrestling in her homeland Japan. A professional wrestler, shoot boxer and kickboxer, Syuri currently plays for the Wrestling New Classic (WNC) promotion, where she is in her second reign as the WNC Women’s Champion.
Additional feathers to her cap include her distinguished work for WNC’s two predecessors, namely Smash where Syuri emerged as the final Smash Diva Champion and Hustle where she started her career by the sobriquet KG (which stands for Karate Girl). As a kickboxer, Syuri is affiliated with the Krush promotion where she represents the Vos Gym training camp.
However, Syuri’s heart presently belongs to wrestling. 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. Fate led her to professional wrestling after passing an audition for Hustle in 2008. Reaping success instantly, Syuri remained with Hustle, going against male wrestlers most of the time as a novelty due to the lack of female wrestlers in the promotion, until it ceased operations in late 2009.
Syuri then joined a new promotion called Smash using the one-word ring name Syuri. Not one to give up after three consecutive losses, Syuri went up against a formidable opponent named Kana on June 25, 2009 in the main event of Smash.4. As it turned out, Syuri did not only end her losing streak but also scored the biggest win of her career as a professional wrestler. In the years that followed, Syuri consistently proved her might and vigor as the next big joshi player.
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). 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.
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 back breaker, 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.”
With her triumphs in wrestling and other combat sports, Syuri Kondo may strike you as a tough cookie. Her winsome, sweetheart looks and lovely complexion do not give hints that she is, at heart, a champion professional wrestler. But there is so much more to love about Syuri Kondo, which includes her giving nature and compassionate heart.
Proof of that are her efforts, with the support and guidance of Reina Women’s World Championship Philippines, to extend help and donation to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the country of birth of Syuri’s mother Susana Ishimura. The Ceremony of Donation was held on November 30, 2014 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria which would then be delivered to Rotary Club Southern Pampanga District 3790.
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.