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Kristin Flake
Weight: 135 pounds
Hometown: Gainesville, Fla.
How tough is Kristin Flake? So tough that she began training at the tender age of 16 with the legendary Dory Funk Jr., whose Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Fla. is the official American training center for All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Unfortunately, a back injury interrupted her training, so Kristin concentrated on her high school studies and then entered college. But her life as a university student couldn't compete with the thrills of working in the wrestling business. It was then that the desire to enter the ring and test herself against the best struck her again.
"I've always been competitive," she says. "Wrestling appeals to that side of me. When I step through the ropes and size up my opponent, I can feel those competitive urges blasting through me. I love that feeling."
After leaving college, Kristin moved to North Carolina, where she began intense training. She broke into the business at 19 as a valet with the CWF. Working ringside gave her a close-up view of the federation's top male wrestlers and the skills and strategies they utilized to win while she continued her own wrestling training.
"When you are right there on the ring apron, watching these phenomenal athletes battle each other, it's like having a private tutor teach you about wrestling," she explains.
Soon, Kristin was calling promoters, seeking any and all matches against any and all comers. Since then, she has worked for scores of wrestling promotions up and down the East Coast of the United States.
"I love the strong, technical style of wrestling," she says. "But I can mix it up if my opponent wants to take a shortcut. I'd rather wrestle clean, but if the other girl wants to brawl, I'm ready."
Usually a fan favorite, Kristin spends much of her free time watching tapes from the rollicking rings of Mexico and Japan, where she continues to pick up new holds and submissions. She' s hoping her hard work will earn her a shot at the MLW title.
"Why not?" she laughs. "I mean, the belt's why we're all here, right"
Visit Kristin Flake's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/kflakefanspace.
Credit: Jeff Borden