The Rookie Tournament Arc
Ippo's run to the East Japan and All Japan Rookie King titles.
The Rookie King tournament is the stretch of Hajime no Ippo in which Ippo Makunouchi, a new professional at Kamogawa Gym, wins the East Japan Rookie King Tournament and then the All Japan Rookie King title in a strong featherweight rookie class. His opponents along the way include the former Inter-High champion Ryuichi Hayami, the points-fighter Kenta Kobashi, the US Army soldier Jason Osma, and Ryo Mashiba, whom he beats in the East Japan final.
Lore & Background
Ichiro Miyata, Ippo's rival from Kamogawa Gym, was one of the most highly rated entrants in the East Japan bracket until Ryo Mashiba of Toho Gym beat him in the semifinal, stepping on his foot to keep him close and spraining his ankle. Mashiba then lost the final to Ippo. Hayami, known for his fast 'Shotgun' barrage, was knocked out by Ippo in the last second of the first round, and Kobashi, who relies on a cross-arm block and points, nearly beat Ippo on the cards before being knocked out in the final minute. As East Japan Rookie King, Ippo met the West Japan Rookie King, Takeshi Sendo of Naniwa Gym, for the All Japan title and won, although he injured his right hand during the fight.
Reader's Guide
After the Rookie King title, Ippo's next fight was against Keigo Okita, a former Rookie King, in a bout billed as a battle of Rookie Kings. Ippo won, which lifted him from 10th to 5th in the rankings and closer to a shot at Eiji Date's Japanese featherweight title.
Elsewhere in Hajime no Ippo
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