Hiroshi Tanahashi, the legendary Japanese wrestler, recently expressed his admiration for WWE veteran Shelton Benjamin. In his Ace’s HIGH Column on the NJPW website, Tanahashi praised Benjamin as a model of pure athleticism.
Tanahashi revealed that he had been aware of Benjamin since his days as a member of Team Angle in WWE. However, it was when they wrestled each other that Tanahashi truly realized Benjamin’s physical prowess. He described Benjamin as the biggest guy in the group, with well-built shoulders and incredible athleticism. Tanahashi believes that Benjamin embodies the qualities he has spoken about in the past.
Despite feeling a tinge of jealousy towards athletes like Benjamin who possessed exceptional athletic DNA, Tanahashi acknowledged that his own shortcomings forced him to focus more on his psychological game. This emphasis on psychology ultimately contributed to Tanahashi’s success and his status as an in-ring legend.
Tanahashi said, “I feel so jealous of guys that have such unbelievable athletic DNA, just blessed to have incredible athletic ability, like Okada as well, but then again, it’s probably my shortcomings that made me a success. I could never fly around, but I had to focus my efforts on developing from a psychological perspective instead.”
Currently, Tanahashi is participating in the 2023 G1 Climax for NJPW. In his most recent Round Robin matchup, he faced Alex Coughlin and unfortunately suffered a loss. Despite this setback, Tanahashi remains determined and focused on his performance in the tournament.
This praise from a renowned wrestler like Tanahashi is a testament to Benjamin’s exceptional skills and athleticism. It highlights the impact that Benjamin has had on his peers and the respect he commands within the industry.
To read more about Hiroshi Tanahashi’s admiration for Shelton Benjamin, you can visit the NJPW website. For updates on the latest wrestling news and events, make sure to follow @prowrestlingw8r on Twitter and visit prowrestlingwars.com.
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