Tatsumi Sugonu

Kyoto Dan - 1x Champion, 3x Runner-up

Osaka Dan - 1x Champion, 2x Runner-up

Sapporo Dan - 3x Runner-up

Regional - 5x Champion

Tatsumi Sugonu is a retired Japanese Professional Martial Artist who was a founding student of Panda Dojo. Known as "The Prodigy," Tatsumi was one of the most dominate fighters in his generation in Japan, known for his natural skills and results during his youth.

Tatsumi was among the youngest generation of the JMAA Ten Titans, achieving the 2nd rank in Japan at the age of 16. His popularity helped Panda Dojo get a lot of publicity and members. He later attained the no. 1 ranking and became the youngest fighter to reach it.

After a fatal injury, Tatsumi would go into secret medical recovery. Realizing his injury and failure to attain a Dojo champion would cause Panda Dojo to decline in relevance, Tatsumi would ask his secret twin brother, Takumi Sugonu, to impersonate him while he recovered. He would later retire from competing after achieving Saiyaman Breaker.

## History

Saiyaman Breaker nearly destroyed his body, putting him on a stretcher. Winning the tournament, Tatsumi revealed what he made his brother do for Panda Dojo, exposing the secret twin switch. He requested the Martial Family to clear any potential crimes committed. After the Global Battle Royale, Tatsumi's injuries were virtually permanent. Doctors told him that he could never compete again, without risking disability or death. He officially announced retirement from professional fighting.

## Appearance

Tatsumi is exactly identical to Takumi though he combs his hair the opposite side. He is more muscled than Takumi.

## Personality

*"I'm going to be number 1, and no injury is going to stop me."*

Tatsumi is known for being very confident and positive. He is very competitive, challenging his opponents and teammates to get better. His attitude towards competing has also alienated him somewhat to his Dojo members, as he would focus mostly on himself to get better. He believed that he was destined to carry Panda Dojo to a championship, arrogance which led him to his injury. Tatsumi is not very warm to his fans, brushing them off and claiming they distract him from his goals. Nevertheless, they still adore and support him despite his distance.

Post-fighting career, Tatsumi became more humbled and distanced himself from Panda Dojo a little, feeling guilty for lying to them. He still keeps a close relationship to his Ten Titans friends.

## Abilities

### Saiyaman Breaker

Tatsumi was the youngest Saiyaman 3, capable to defeating many fighters in Japan. His injury made people skeptical on whether he would be able to achieve the legendary Saiyaman Breaker. Tatsumi would enter ever so slightly in this form twice in his life: One to fight Sakurai and the other during the Global Battle Royale. At Saiyaman Breaker, Tatsumi was capable to facing top 30 international martial artists. His temporary Saiyaman Breaker was enough to force Sammo Huang, the 11th best fighter in the world, to go all out.

### Kyokushin Karate

Tatsumi was the best Kyokushin practitioner in Panda Dojo and even taught many of his peers. He quickly learned nearly all of the Katas of the South style. He currently holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt.

### Wado-ryu

During his rehabilitation and retirement, Tatsumi switched to the Wado-ryu style, which focuses on strikes, joint locks and throws. This simpler style gave him more room to work with his injury and allowed him to focus on avoiding opponents' strong attacks rather than facing them head on.

### Fight Tactics

Tatsumi initially used a basic, aggressive approach to quickly take out his opponents. He used high risk, high reward moves that intercepted heavy attacks and relied on his speed to hit first. During his injury, Tatsumi was forced to use a patient style and focus on avoiding heavy attacks and waiting for openings. This made his fights longer but more tactical.

## Legacy

Tatsumi was the youngest fighter to reach the number 1 ranking in Japan, albeit, being the shortest reign when Sakurai emerged. This led to many questioning whether Tatsumi was a great fighter only because the era he was in was weaker than previous ones. His injury led to many believing Tatsumi was a glass cannon, someone who couldn't have a long career in fighting. He had won two Senior Dan Tournaments back-to-back and one international A-Tier tournament, all in his adolescent years.

Tatsumi short career is considered the biggest 'what if' both in Japan and even the world. Many analysts and retired fighters have debated on whether a healthy Tatsumi could've been bigger than even Akira Sakurai. Gin Yukihira has said that if Tatsumi was in a better Dojo, he would've surpassed Koshi Bando, and could've held on the no. 1 spot in Japan for a long time.

Tatsumi's potential international career is a even bigger question. If his limit was capable of fending off top 20 fighters at such a young age, what could stop him from continuing on? The question whether he could've made the Global Ten continues on.

Even after retirement, many still respect and idolize Tatsumi (despite him lying to the world about his brother).