Japanese kickboxer Kaito Ono possesses an unusual advantage for his upcoming bout against Marat Grigorian. His main instructor has no prior experience in competitive fighting. This trainer is Kaito’s own father, a dedicated individual who educated himself in the sport to become a coach.
Kaito is scheduled to face renowned Armenian striker Marat Grigorian in a featherweight kickboxing contest at ONE SAMURAI 1, airing live as a pay-per-view event from Tokyo, Japan’s Ariake Arena this coming Wednesday, April 29. The 28-year-old athlete is no stranger to this situation. Their fight was initially set for last year but was called off due to a weight disagreement. With the fight now back on, the father and son team comes into it more prepared than ever before.
The postponement didn’t hinder their progress. Kaito’s father utilized each additional month to intensify his analysis of Grigorian, and their connection has only become more robust as they approach the evening of the fight.
“My father developed his knowledge right alongside me. When we embarked on this journey, neither of us possessed extensive understanding of combat. My dad had no background in martial arts whatsoever. Nevertheless, he was incredibly driven to learn so he could assist my training, and he remains my coach to this very moment,” he stated.
“He offers extremely valuable insight during my matches.”
Kaito Ono’s father built a game plan one film session at a time
The groundwork for Kaito Ono’s contest against Grigorian commenced well in advance of the current training period. His father initiated an in-depth study of the Armenian’s fighting technique from the instant the initial bout was announced, and he continued this research even after its cancellation.
This continuous effort resulted in a comprehensive strategy. Kaito will enter Tokyo armed with a tactical plan formulated over many months of video analysis, and he has complete confidence in it.
“From the moment my fight with Marat Grigorian was initially revealed last year, my father embarked on a thorough examination of my adversary’s methods. The bout was then called off, but knowing we would eventually compete against Grigorian, my dad persistently analyzed his fighting approach,” he explained.
“We are aware of his strong points and his vulnerabilities, and my father has developed a robust strategy for me to take him on.”
