Saya Ito called out Little Tiger

[cjsreport]

Saya Ito and Little Tiger were both at an event to launch a book about Japan's best female fighters, during Little Tiger's Q and A, Saya asked Tiger why she is only going to Thailand for opponents when she, a ranked opponent, lives so nearby. She then asked Tiger why she doesn't fight her in September. Tiger responded that she'd like to but she'll have to ask her manager.

 

Some pictures from the event. https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=854740714616830&id=447205925370313&set=pcb.854741441283424&source=48

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Saya Ito and Little Tiger were both at an event to launch a book about Japan's best female fighters, during Little Tiger's Q and A, Saya asked Tiger why she is only going to Thailand for opponents when she, a ranked opponent, lives so nearby. She then asked Tiger why she doesn't fight her in September. Tiger responded that she'd like to but she'll have to ask her manager.

 

Some pictures from the event. https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=854740714616830&id=447205925370313&set=pcb.854741441283424&source=48

 

Wow Charlie. Amazing. I guess Saya called Tiger out on her looking for easy opponents so she can hold onto her title. How does that read in Japanese culture? What does Saya appear like in doing this?

btw, is that Saya standing up in the photo? I can't really see her.

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

This is so cool. Go Saya!

I have a date with my dictionary to be able to explain this to Mawin and Jee Jaa tonight at training :)

[cjsreport]

Wow Charlie. Amazing. I guess Saya called Tiger out on her looking for easy opponents so she can hold onto her title. How does that read in Japanese culture? What does Saya appear like in doing this?

btw, is that Saya standing up in the photo? I can't really see her.

I kinda read the same thing into it with regards to hand picking her opponents.

It is kind of a risky thing to do in my opinion with regards to Japanese culture. 

From what I have experienced, fighters do not call people out. I would ask fighters who they wanted to fight and they wouldn't say a name, fighters refused to publicly speak negatively about other fighters ect. Outspoken fighters like Shinya Aoki are either loved or hated by Japanese fans.

I sometimes wonder if it stems from the mentality in Sumo where the champions aren't supposed to express any emotion, be respectful, and just go out and win.

However, Saya Ito is popular and people in Japan want to see her fight Little Tiger so her calling out Tiger would excite them and be seen as a good thing.

[WaffleNinja]

That would be cool!