Hello,
My name is Sho Ito, and I run Wrestling Lab.
I’m currently writing a book titled “Understanding the Strength of Japanese Wrestling”, which will be published on Kindle in December 2025.
In this note series, I share insights from the writing process, as well as thoughts on wrestling—viewed through a scientific lens, in a clear and accessible way.
1. A Journey to Find What You Can’t Google
We live in a time where information is just a search away.
You can look up the name of a wrestling technique, a training method, or even the competition results of top athletes within seconds.
In some ways, it feels like all the “answers” about wrestling already exist online.
But I believe this:
“The most important answers can’t be found through search engines.”
For example:
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What are your personal strengths as a wrestler?
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Why are some movements easier for you, and others more difficult?
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What do you need to defeat your toughest rival?
There’s no universal answer to these questions.
They depend on the individual, and no one else can give you a ready-made solution.
That’s why I believe the real challenge—and value—lies in our ability to explore the questions and build our own answers.
2. From Searching for Answers to Creating Them
As technology advances, the real skill we need is not just finding the right answer,
but developing the ability to ask better questions and think deeply.
This applies to sports as well.
Wrestling isn’t a sport where there’s always one “correct” technique.
Each opponent is different. Every match is unique.
Victory often comes down to momentary decisions and subtle adjustments.
I remember a moment during my time as a wrestler when I had this question:
“Is pushing harder really enough in grip fighting? Or is it just as important to let go—to release tension?”
At the time, I couldn’t find an explanation anywhere.
But I knew the feeling was real.
That led me to pursue research in graduate school, where I studied upper limb use during grip fighting in wrestling.
Through experiments and analysis, I eventually found scientific evidence supporting the value of “relaxation” in certain phases of combat.
What started as a personal, intuitive question gradually became something I could prove.
That process—of creating meaning from experience—is, in my view, what building your own answers truly means.
And it’s something that has stayed with me far beyond the wrestling mat.
3. The Beauty of Wrestling: A Sport Without Simple Answers
In this book, I examine wrestling from many angles—its history, rules, physical demands, and even from a neuroscientific perspective.
Why?
Because I believe that wrestling is a sport that constantly asks us to re-think the core question:
What kind of sport is wrestling, really?
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What is your personal style?
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Why does a certain stance work better for you?
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How do you find your own path to victory?
Understanding these questions isn’t just about winning or losing.
It’s about discovering your own approach to wrestling—one that reflects who you are.
4. My Hope: A Guide for Your Journey
Wrestling is like a journey without a map.
There’s no single correct path, and everyone must find their own way forward.
But that’s what makes it so interesting.
My hope is that this book becomes a guide—not one that hands you all the answers,
but one that helps you ask better questions and think more deeply about your own style, strengths, and future.
📘 Understanding the Strength of Japanese Wrestling
Coming December 2025 on Kindle.
📱 Follow for updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes content:
X (Twitter): @wrestlinglab_jp
Instagram: @wrestlinglab_jp
—Sho Ito
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