Meet the wrestler: Sukoshi Doragon

Provided by: Fusion Pro Wrestling
Contributed by: Anthony Welch/YourHub.com on 3/13/2006

Watching Fusion Pro Wrestling’s masked man Sukoshi Doragon fly around the ring with reckless abandon, you’d never imagine that behind the mask is a high school student.

And, when you meet the soft-spoken Justin Johnson, a.k.a. Sukoshi Doragon, in person it’s hard to believe that this Thornton High School junior jumps into the wrestling ring with guys twice his size.

Fellow students probably have no clue that this quiet student moonlights as a masked menace, who does back flips off the top rope. In a way, Johnson likes his anonymity.

For Johnson, wrestling has been a way to come out of his shell. During his 11 months of professional wrestling, his confidence has skyrocketed.

“Before I really wasn’t into getting to know strangers,” Johnson said. “Now, I actually feel I’m good at something.”

Johnson and his dad are both huge wrestling fans. When Justin discovered the Altitude Pro Wrestling Academy, he knew he had to try it. His first day in the ring was bittersweet.

“I had a huge grin on my face when I walked in this place,” he said. “But later I was learning how to take a bump and ended up smacking my head on the mat pretty good.”

“He came in very athletic, and we kind of had to slow him down and teach him the basics,” Altitude Pro Wrestling trainer Jeff Michaelis said. “The one thing we teach younger guys is discipline and accomplishing something; not only in wrestling but in life.”

Johnson’s first match was in January. Nerves were a problem at first, but once he jumped in the ring, all worries evaporated.

“I just wanted to make sure and do everything I was supposed to do; and do it right,” he said.

Johnson said the toughest part about wrestling is being in good shape. Conditioning is a must for this sport.

“Even a six-minute match can be tiring if you’re not in shape,” he said.

As for anyone who’s thinking about giving it a try, Johnson has a couple bits of advice.

“Be ready to learn and be ready to take a little pain.”

Catch Sukoshi Doragon in action at Fusion Pro Wrestling’s Ascension on April 8 at the Red Lion Hotel, 4040 Quebec St. For more information, visit www.fusionprowrestling.com.