You're right. Especially if you look at how Zoro handle it.
Zoro blocked awaken Kaku's name attack.
Kaku switches to a much stronger attack and starts to push Zoro back, but still can't get a single hit in.
Zoro stops Kaku's attack mid attack and then overpowered him with nothing but physical strength, beating Kaku in the clash. Zoro didn't need to use a name attack or gorilla arms to overpower Kaku.
Zoro's physical strength has reached a whole new level.