Much in the same way that comics are treated differently in Japan as it is to the United States, so is professional wrestling. While comics are known as 'manga' in Japan, professional wrestling is known there as 'puroresu'. Treated in America as a sideline activity and considered outside normal mainstream culture, both comics/manga and wrestling/puroesu is embraced and accepted as mainstream in Japan.

And while there are many American wrestlers who admire the Japanese style of wrestling, there are few that have been able to settle and thrive in both systems: one of those is Senshi.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the man to be known as Senshi (or Low-Ki) began his wrestling training in St. John the Baptist Church in the Bedford Stuyvestant neighborhood of Brooklyn, under the tutelage of fellow New Yorker Homicide. Senshi began cross-training early, combining traditional American wrestling techniques with his ongoing lessons learned in Aikido. His first singles match was in late 1998, and soon rose through the ranks of professional wrestling, even spending time with WWF early in his career.

Known for his stiff striking ability and intense focus, Senshi remains a distinct anomaly in both the Japanese and American wrestling scenes. A truly international athlete, Senshi has competed in the United States, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, England, Germany and Trinidad since his debut in 1998. He has held many titles including ROH Heavyweight Championship, ZERO-ONE International Junior Heavyweight Championship and 2001 ECWA Super 8 Tournament winner. As the current X Division champion for the American-based TNA Wrestling, he can be seen Thursday nights on SpikeTV. TNA has also posted several Senshi videos on YouTube.com.

In a rare opportunity, I was able to speak with Senshi to talk about his career and wrestling in general.

Chris Arrant: Thank you for taking the time to do this. What does the name Senshi mean?

Senshi: The translation is 'soldier/warrior' in Japanese.

CA: What about the other name you go by, Low Ki?

S: Originally it was Low Key. Before I began training, I couldn't decide on a name. Very cheesy names were coming to mind, until I heard the song "No Diggity" by Blackstreet. One of the lyrics is "very low key on the profile", and being one that keeps to himself and pretty mellow, I thought it fit.

CA: How do you feel your "low key" personality goes with the wrestling business's tendency for showmanship and over-the-top moments in some cases?

S: I think it sets me apart from many.  I don't believe I present the traditional over the top/ showmanship persona that is associated with Pro Wrestling, but an alternative image that can be viewed and respected. 

CA: You're known for your deep respect of the wrestling industry and its traditions. Why is that so important to you?

S: Tradition and skill created opportunity for us today. Those are old generation qualities. I feel the new generation has lost site of that and may not create the same in the future.

CA: Who has been your favorite opponent you've wrestled?

S: All these years and I still don't have one. I take every opponent as individual and never really just cling to one as a favorite.

CA: You've wrestled for many different companies and in many different countries. Can you tell us your thoughts on wrestling on such a global scale instead of the way others primarily focus on American wrestling only?

S: Wrestling has different perceptions in different areas. The U.S. is more entertainment based, as Japan is more competitive based. The UK and Europe seem to like the novelty of the special attraction since wrestling is not as common there. I like the experience of knowing there is a bigger picture than just the one area you come from. It gives you a lot of insight to your approach and performance as an athlete and businessperson.

CA: You hail from Brooklyn, and you carry that with you wherever you go. How would you describe growing up in the Brooklyn borough?

S: I grew up in a military family and army base. It was controlled, yet free to explore. I would not have changed a thing.

CA: If we can, let's talk more about your childhood. How did your upbringing influence the man you are today?

S: I was taught to work hard. I had good teachers and good experience to help me maintain that attitude.

CA: Although you're Brooklyn-born and Brooklyn-bred, you spend a considerable amount of time in Asia wrestling for Pro Wrestling Noah and Zero-One. How has your experiences there affected you as an athlete?

S: I think they benefited me to only want to excel further. The Japanese have a way of taking something and refining it to be more efficient and productive. I feel I benefited from their training and experiences. I hope to go back one day and conquer my remaining goals.

CA: About those goals; what are your goals for yourself in the future?

S: Currently, to re-establish myself as a formidable threat to any junior heavyweight in the U.S. and abroad. I feel my isolation to Japan kept me out of view for most of the world.

CA: How do you adapt yourself and your style for the variety of opponents you face? Could you maybe give us an example of a match or competitor and how you prepared?

S: I believe I got that from my martial arts training, as well as under my first teacher, Homicide. Being well prepared allows you that continuous flow to accept and respond to any attack. We trained against traditional U.S. southern style wrestlers, some more aggressive grapplers and occasional Mexican style wrestlers. That helped me hold my own against wrestlers in the former WWF, Japanese wrestlers and Mexican style wrestlers like Ricky Marvin, Essa Rios, and Ultimo Dragon.

CA: Recently you re-emerged in the North American wrestling promotion TNA Wrestling, and quickly became the X Division champion. What is it like being able to wrestle in front of your home country on a weekly basis?

S: It is good to return home. I am still not sure of how or if I'm even being accepted. I can see the U.S. is still in a transition stage of change, and being that I have only been back a few months, I feel it will be some time to get a good feel for it.

A: How would you describe the X division as a whole, and the standout performers past and present in the division?

S: I would describe it as exciting, but lacking. I see that some of the wrestlers are lacking the fundamental skills needed to be champions. I came in, well prepared, and I am already a champion. Some of the others have been chasing that goal for a very long time!

CA: How were you first introduced to wrestling?

S: I was just invited to come train one day. I had no initial interest in being a wrestler.

CA: What martial art forms have you had training in?

S: I began in Aikido, studied briefly some Qi Gong, and currently Ju Jitsu.

CA: Your reasons for becoming a wrestler are obvious, but what are the things that keep you in the business. What drives you to continue on the path you've laid out for yourself?