Hiroki Akimoto (秋元 皓貴, Akimoto Hiroki, born August 31, 1992) is a Japanese martial artist and kickboxer. He competes in ONE Championship's bantamweight and flyweight division, where he is the former ONE Kickboxing Bantamweight World Champion.[3][4]
Hiroki Akimoto | |
---|---|
Born | 秋元皓貴 August 31, 1992 Toyota, Aichi, Japan |
Nationality | Japanese[1] |
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Weight | 145 lb (65.8 kg; 10.4 st) |
Division | Bantamweight (145 lb) Flyweight (135 lb) |
Reach | 67.3 in (171 cm) |
Style | Full Contact Karate |
Fighting out of | Singapore |
Team | Evolve MMA Shoryukai Gym MMA Shichishu-Kai |
Rank | Black belt in Kyokushin karate[2] |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 30 |
Wins | 26 |
By knockout | 10 |
Losses | 4 |
By knockout | 0 |
As of June 2022, he is ranked as the second-best featherweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press. He's been ranked in the top ten since December 2021.[5][6] As of April 17, 2024, he is ranked #2 in the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing rankings.[7]
Background
editJapanese-born Akimoto began his martial arts journey at the age of eight. He took up full contact karate[8] and became a top talent over his years of training. Both of his parents were instructors in the Shichishu-Kai, but he was never forced to participate. It was not until he was involved in a fight at school did he decide to take up martial arts.[9]
As his skills grew, he turned to competition. He did not stick with karate, and also competed in Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts. To get the most of his talents, Akimoto moved from Japan to Singapore to train at Evolve MMA and pursue a world title in ONE Championship.[10]
Kickboxing career
editAkimoto got off to an incredible start to his professional career. He racked up 19 straight kickboxing victories that would lead him to be signed by ONE Championship.
ONE Championship
editEarly promotional career
editAkimoto made his organizational debut with ONE Championship on January 25, 2019 at ONE Championship: Hero's Ascent. It was his first kickboxing bout in nearly six years.[11] Akimoto won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]
The now 20–0 striker returned to competition on March 31, 2019 at ONE Championship: A New Era against Joseph Lasiri.[13] Akimoto lost the bout by majority decision, suffering the first loss of his professional career.[14]
Akimoto faced Kenny Tse at ONE Championship: Masters Of Destiny on July 12, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision, successfully rebounding from his loss to Lasiri.[15]
Move to Bantamweight
editAkimoto faced Zhang Chenglong at ONE Championship: Reign of Dynasties 2 on October 17, 2020.[16] He won the fight by split decision.[17] Due to the close decision, the pair were immediately booked for a rematch at ONE Championship: Fists Of Fury on February 26, 2021.[18] Akimoto was more convincing in the rematch, as he beat Zhang by unanimous decision.[19]
Akimoto faced former Wu Lin Feng kickboxing champion Qiu Jianliang at ONE: Winter Warriors on December 3, 2021.[20] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[21]
Bantamweight kickboxing champion
editAkimoto (then the #2 ONE Kickboxing Bantamweight contender) challenged the reigning ONE Bantamweight kickboxing champion Capitan Petchyindee Academy at ONE: X on March 25, 2022.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision, after controlling the final four rounds of the bout. Capitan was twice warned for illegal clinching and was deducted a point for it in the fourth round.[23][24] Akimoto was given the $50,000 Performance of the Night award as well,[25] and was named the March 2022 "Fighter of the Month" by eFight.[26]
Akimoto made his first ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World title defense against #4 ranked contender Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE 163 on November 18, 2022.[27] He lost the fight by split decision (and also his second loss on his kickboxing career).[28]
After a 1-year and 5-month hiatus, Akimoto faced Wei Rui on May 4, 2024, at ONE Fight Night 22.[29] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[30]
Titles and accomplishments
editKickboxing
editAmateur
- Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Federation
- 2008 MAJKF All Japan Tournament Bantamweight Winner & event MVP[31]
- K-1
- 2010 K-1 Koshien Tournament Runner-up
Professional
- ONE Championship
- ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship (One time)
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Capitan Petchyindee[25]
- MA Japan Kickboxing Federation
- 2012 MAJKF Featherweight Champion[32]
- WBC Muay Thai
- 2012 WBC Muay Thai Japan Featherweight Champion[33]
Awards
- eFight.jp
- Beyond Kickboxing
- 2022 Beyond Kick "Fight of the Year" (vs. Capitan Petchyindee Academy)[35]
Karate
edit- Japan Karate Judge Organization
- Japanese Fullcontact Karate Organization
- Kyokushin World Federation
Professional Kyokushin
- World Fighting Kyokushin Organization
- 2018 WFKO World Pro Kyokushin -65kg Champion[46]
Fight record
edit26 Wins (10 (T)KO's), 4 Losses, 0 Draw, 0 No Contest | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-09-27 | Loss | Ilias Ennahachi | ONE Friday Fights 81 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2024-05-03 | Loss | Wei Rui | ONE Fight Night 22 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2022-11-19 | Loss | Petchtanong Petchfergus | ONE 163 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Split) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Lost the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship. | ||||||||
2022-03-26 | Win | Capitan Petchyindee Academy | ONE: X | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship. | ||||||||
2021-12-03 | Win | Qiu Jianliang | ONE: Winter Warriors | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2021-02-26 | Win | Zhang Chenglong | ONE Championship: Fists Of Fury | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2020-10-17 | Win | Zhang Chenglong | ONE Championship: Reign of Dynasties 2 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2019-07-12 | Win | Kenny Tse | ONE Championship: Masters Of Destiny | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2019-03-31 | Loss | Joseph Lasiri | ONE Championship: A New Era | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2019-01-25 | Win | Josh Tonna | ONE Championship: Hero's Ascent | Pasay, Philippines | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2013-04-14 | Win | Surachai Sisuriyanyothin | MAJKF DRAGON ROAD ONE AND ONLY TAKE 1 | Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
2012-12-02 | Win | Shunta | BigBang 11 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
2012-10-07 | Win | Yosuke Morii | MAJKF BREAK-30 ~UNIFICATION~ | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins WBC Muay Thai Japan Featherweight title. | ||||||||
2012-07-15 | Win | Daiki Fujisawa | MAJKF KICK GUTS 2012 | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Doctor Stoppage/Left Elbow) | 1 | 1:28 | |
Wins MA Japan Kick Featherweight title. | ||||||||
2012-05-06 | Win | Kenryu | MAJKF BREAK-25 ~CANNONBALL~ | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Right Front Kick) | 1 | 2:52 | |
2012-02-25 | Win | Fumiya Sasaki | BigBang 8 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left High Kick) | 1 | 2:40 | |
2011-08-21 | Win | Atsushi Masukura | BigBang 6 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (High Knee) | 3 | 0:18 | |
2011-07-24 | Win | Pinsiam Sor.Amnuaysirichoke | MAJKF J-1 time ~signal of start~ | Aichi Prefecture, Japan | KO (Left hook to the body) | 2 | 0:54 | |
2011-05-15 | Win | Shota | BigBang 5 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left Knee) | 1 | 1:46 | |
2011-02-05 | Win | TURBO | BigBang 4 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Flying Knee) | 2 | 1:05 | |
2010-09-23 | Win | Seidou Yamaguchi | BigBang 3 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2010-05-04 | Win | Kyoji Bancho | MAJKF Explosion-1 | Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2010-04-04 | Win | Toshiya Sudou | MAJKF Boukohyouga Sono Ichi | Chiba, Japan | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 1:17 | |
2010-03-14 | Win | Tadashi Matsumoto | NAGOYA KICK ~CENTRAL RHYTHM~ | Chiba, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2010-01-31 | Win | Shoya Suzuki | NAGOYA KICK ~KICK Hopping!~ | Nagoya, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2009-03-08 | Win | Masayuki Ishibashi | NAGOYA KICK 〜Boogie Fight 07 Black Sunday〜 | Nagoya, Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2008-12-23 | Win | Norifumi Yamamura | NAGOYA KICK ~2008 FINAL Nagoya vs Muay Thai Drum Roll Please!!~ | Nagoya, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2008-10-19 | Win | Shin Takashiro | MAJKF BREAK THROUGH-7 ~CHAMPION CARNIVAL~ | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Knee) | 3 | 0:43 | |
2008-08-29 | Win | Mutsuki Ebata | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2008-08 | Win | Yokdam | Thailand | KO | 1 | |||
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010-11-20 | Loss | Shoei Hareyama | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- FINAL, Final | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Low Kick) | 3 | 0:23 | |
For the 2010 K-1 Koshien Title. | ||||||||
2010-11-20 | Win | Keigo Ishida | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- FINAL, Semi Final | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left middle kick) | 4 | ||
2010-11-20 | Win | Sho Ogawa | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- FINAL, Quarter Final | Tokyo, Japan | Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) | 4 | ||
2010-11-20 | Win | Koji Kashimura | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- FINAL, Second Round | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 1 | ||
2010-11-20 | Win | Yuki Kurihara | K-1 Koshien -KING OF UNDER 18- FINAL, First Round | Tokyo, Japan | TKO | 1 | ||
2010-09-04 | Win | Tensho Ato | K-1 Koshien 2010 West Japan Selection | Osaka, Japan | KO (Punches) | 3 | 0:30 | |
2009-10-26 | Loss | Shota Shimada | K-1 World MAX 2009 World Championship Tournament Final K-1 Koshien Tournament Quarter Final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
2009-08-10 | Win | Hiroto Yamaguchi | K-1 Koshien 2009 KING OF UNDER 18 -FINAL16- | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 3 | 2:00 | |
2009-07-04 | Win | Sho Ogawa | K-1 Koshien 2009 Chubu Region Selection Tournament, Final | Japan | Ext.R Decision | 2 | 2:00 | |
2009-07-04 | Win | Hiroto Iwasaki | K-1 Koshien 2009 Chubu Region Selection Tournament, Semi Finals | Japan | Decision | 1 | 2:00 | |
2009-07-04 | Win | Hideaki Ishida | K-1 Koshien 2009 Chubu Region Selection Tournament, Quarter Finals | Japan | Decision | 1 | 2:00 | |
2009-07-04 | Win | Shunsuke Okuno | K-1 Koshien 2009 Chubu Region Selection Tournament, First Round | Japan | KO (Knee to the Body) | 1 | ||
2008-07-27 | Win | Ryota Terada | 2008 MAJKF Amateur All Japan Tournament, Final | Fuefuki, Japan | ||||
Wins the 2008 MAJKF Amateur All Japan Tournament Bantamweight Title. | ||||||||
2008-04-29 | Win | Yuki Miwa | MAJKF "BREAK THROUGH-3" | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 2 | 2:00 | |
2007-10-28 | Win | Yuji Morihira | 6th BRIDGE one match challenge | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 2 | 3:00 | |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hiroki Akimoto profile at ONE Championship
- ^ "Hiroki Akimoto". evolve-mma.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Hiroki Akimoto | ONE Championship - Athletes". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. January 8, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "Hiroki Akimoto - Evolve MMA Singapore | Asia's #1 Mixed Martial Arts Gym". Evolve MMA Singapore. January 27, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ Aittama, Zach. "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: December 2021". combatpress.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: June 2022". Combat Press. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- ^ "Athlete Rankings | ONE Championship". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ "指導員紹介|日本実戦空手道 七州会 広田支部/梅坪台支部 | 豊田市".
- ^ "Martial Arts Runs Through Hiroki Akimoto's Veins | ONE Championship - Features". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. January 24, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "Here's What Hiroki Akimoto Has Planned For His Return To Japan - Evolve Daily". Evolve MMA Singapore. CNN. March 25, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "ONE Championship 1.25 マニラ:秋元皓貴、約6年経てキックボクシング復帰戦". boutreview.com. January 7, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴が3度のダウンを奪い6年ぶり復帰戦に勝利". efight.jp. January 25, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "秋元皓貴 かつて天才の名をほしいままにした日本人キックボクサーがONEで電撃復帰!". tv-tokyo.co.jp. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴、ダウンを奪われ21戦目にして初黒星". efight.jp. March 31, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】クアラルンプール大会 試合結果=2019年7月12日". efight.jp. July 12, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Hiroki Akimoto Has His Eyes Set Firmly on Earning a Title Shot with Victory Over Zhang Chenglong". mma-japan.net. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Combat Press (October 16, 2020). "ONE Championship 'Reign of Dynasties II' Results: Akimoto Edges Out Chenglong". combatpress.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "【ONE】"破壊神"ロッタンがキックルールへ殴り込み!世界最強・ペトロシアンや秋元皓貴などの豪華カード決まる". efight.jp. February 4, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】空手&ムエタイ王者・秋元皓貴が中国強豪チェンロンに激勝!3R強烈な右ストレートで返り討ちに". efight.jp. February 26, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Saygid Arslanaliev rematches Timofey Nastyukhin at ONE: 'Winter Warriors'". Asian MMA. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "ONE Championship 'Winter Warriors' Results: Stamp Wins Grand Prix, Eersel Defends". Combat Press. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "【ONE】"空手天才ファイター"秋元皓貴、ついにバンタム級世界タイトルに挑戦!王者カピタンからベルト奪取なるか=3.26". news.yahoo.co.jp. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴 キックボクシングバンタム級新王者に!ONEスーパーシリーズでは日本人初王者の快挙". sponichi.co.jp. March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "ONE X Results: Lee Taps Stamp; Moraes, Nong-O and Superbon Defend; Akimoto Tops Capitan". Combat Press. March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "ONE X: Hiroki Akimoto steals the show in Singapore with thrilling win over Capitan to claim kickboxing title". scmp.com. March 26, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ a b "【月間ベストファイター・3月】秋元皓貴がONEキック日本人初の戴冠、王者・カピタンに"空手技"で圧勝". efight.jp. April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】日本人初の立ち技王者・秋元皓貴が初防衛戦、相手は武林風T制したペッタノン「倒してもっと上に行く」=11.19". efight.jp. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴 キックボクシングバンタム級王座初防衛失敗…相手のテクニックに屈して判定負け". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴が中国人初K-1王者ウェイ・ルイと対戦「本当にたくさん試合を待ちました」=5月4日『ONE Fight Night 22』ルンピニー". gonkaku.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "【ONE】秋元皓貴、元K-1王者ウェイ・ルイに悔しい判定負け、1年半ぶり復帰戦でアグレッシブに攻めるも(イーファイト)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "GBR>試合結果>【Maキック】2008年度新人王トーナメント2回戦&新人戦の結果".
- ^ "【Ma日本キック】驚異の19歳王者誕生!秋元皓貴が16戦無敗7連続Koでベルト獲得". July 15, 2012.
- ^ "【Ma日本キック】4大タイトルマッチで激闘!秋元が森井を破り驚異の17連勝飾る". October 7, 2012.
- ^ "2012年10月度MVP 秋元皓貴". efight.jp. November 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ Strobel, Kevin (January 31, 2023). "Beyond Kickboxing's 2022 Fight of the Year: Capitan Petchyindee vs. Hiroki Akimoto". beyondkick.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ "空手道MAC 第7回ジャパンカップ ジュニア空手道選手権大会結果". karatedo-mac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "空手道MAC 第8回ジャパンカップ ジュニア空手道選手権大会報告". karatedo-mac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "第7回ジャパンカップ ジュニア空手道選手権大会". karatedo-mac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "第1回JKJO全日本ジュニア空手道選手権大会 大会結果". karatedo-mac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "第2回全日本フルコンタクト空手道選手権大会". fullcontact-karate.jp. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "第3回全日本フルコンタクト空手道選手権大会". fullcontact-karate.jp. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "第4回全日本フルコンタクト空手道選手権大会結果". fullcontact-karate.jp. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "KWF KARATE GRANDPRIX 2017 Results". kwunion.com. March 28, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "The 31st KWF European Kyokushin Championship (October 13-14, 2017 Swinoujscie, Poland)". kyokushinkarate.news. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Here are results from annual Karate Grandprix 2018". kwunion.com. March 26, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "【WFKO世界プロ極真】秋元皓貴がロシアの強豪を完封!!【8・26千葉】 | カラテイチバン.com". Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.