Antonio Inoki
Courage is essential.Collection: Courage
When I first went to Moscow, I had a chance to meet with some important people over there.
I want to become the greatest. Not merely in pro-wrestling, but in martial arts as a whole.
When I was young I was very embarrassed by my chin and I went to a plastic surgeon to have it changed. He said it would be a good trademark. So I kept it. And he was right.
Sports events bring people together. That's what I've been saying for a long time.
A character like me is rare.
It's important to gain support from your own people, but you need to move half, or one step ahead of everyone.
Amin was the heavyweight boxing champion of Uganda and could be a tough opponent.
When I attacked Ali I had to have one hand and one foot on the mat at all times.
Thanks to Ali, I was able to do a different kind of politics and diplomacy. For that I thank him.
I feel bad seeing Muslims fighting against each other, which is why I decided to travel to Pakistan and offer my services in facilitating talks.
If someone wants to fight, he should do it inside a ring.
Sport is something that cannot be rejected even in a closed society.
I still have marks on my wrist that Akki gave me when he wrenched at it with his teeth. I had to poke my fingers in his eyes to get him away.
When I converted, people suggested that I change my name to Muhammad Ali but I turned down the idea as I had already fought against the great boxer Ali.
Relationships are important.
People used to say sports and politics are different, but now it is the opposite.
Through sports, we can hold a variety of conversations.
I've been working on contributing to world peace through sports, and I hope to keep doing this work in the future.
I really think that Japan should take a role as mediator between the U.S. and North Korea.
As the only country which was bombed during World War II with nuclear weapons, Japan should be advocating that we should avoid nuclear war from happening again.
I struggled to eat, but such a life gave me the spirit to fight.
I don't know how seriously Muhammad Ali is taking the fight, but if he doesn't take it seriously, he could suffer damage. I'm going in there fighting. I may even break his arm.
World peace through sports exchanges has been my lifelong mission.
I have never determined before a bout who will win. Some of my opponents make such offers.
I could see in Ali's eyes during the match that he had not conquered his fear. I had.
I am very serious about wrestling.
To build my capability to withstand punishment, I was beaten with a stick or cane sometimes 3,000 times a day.
I have built up an over-all capability so that I'll have no problem with Ali.
If you have guts, you can accomplish anything.