Hiroki Akimoto

Hiroki Akimoto (秋元 皓貴, Akimoto Hiroki, born August 31, 1992) is a Japanese martial artist and kickboxer. He is a former WFKO Pro Kyokushin world champion and WBC Muay Thai Japan champion. He competes in ONE Championship's flyweight division and trains out of Evolve MMA.[2][3]

Hiroki Akimoto
Born秋元皓貴
(1992-08-31) August 31, 1992
Toyota, Aichi, Japan
NationalityJapanese[1]
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight145 lb (65.8 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Flyweight
StyleKyokushin Karate
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSingapore
TeamEvolve MMA
Shoryukai Gym MMA
Kickboxing record
Total24
Wins23
By knockout10
Losses1

Background

Japanese-born Akimoto began his martial arts journey at the age of eight. He took up Kyokushin karate and became a top talent over his years of training. Both of his parents were instructors in the discipline, 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.[4]

As his skills grew, he turned to competition. He did not stick with Kyokushin 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.[5]

Martial arts career

Akimoto 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. He would make his organizational debut on January 25, 2019 at ONE Championship: Hero’s Ascent.

Akimoto defeated Josh Tonna by unanimous decision.

The now 20-0 striker returned to competition on March 31, 2019 at ONE Championship: A New Era against Joseph Lasiri. Akimoto dropped the bout by majority decision, suffering his first professional defeat.[6]

On July 12, 2019, Akimoto defeated Kenny Tse to bring his overall kickboxing record to 21-1 at ONE Championship: Masters of Destiny.[7]

Titles and accomplishments

Kickboxing
Amateur

  • 2008 MA Kick All Japan Tournament Champion[8]
  • 2010 K-1 Koshien Tournament Runner-up

Professional

  • 2012 MA Japan Kick Featherweight Champion[9]
  • 2012 WBC Muay Thai Japan Featherweight Champion[10]

Karate

  • 2014 JFKO All Japan Full Contact Karate Lightweight 3rd Place
  • 2015 JFKO All Japan Full Contact Karate Lightweight Runner-up
  • 2016 JFKO All Japan Full Contact Karate Lightweight 3rd Place
  • 2016 WKF Russian Open Lightweight 1st Place
  • 2017 JFKO All Japan Full Contact Karate Lightweight Champion
  • 2017 WKF Karate Grand Prix Lightweight Champion
  • 2018 WKF Karate Grand Prix Lightweight Champion
  • 2018 WFKO World Pro Kyokushin Champion[11]

Fight record

Professional Muay Thai & Kickboxing Record

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Amateur Kickboxing Record

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also

References

  1. Hiroki Akimoto profile at ONE Championship
  2. "Hiroki Akimoto | ONE Championship - Athletes". ONE Championship - The Home Of Martial Arts. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  3. "Hiroki Akimoto - Evolve MMA Singapore | Asia's #1 Mixed Martial Arts Gym". Evolve MMA Singapore. January 27, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "Hiroki Akimoto | Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  7. Altatis, Conan (July 12, 2019). "Evolve MMA's Hiroki Akimoto earns 2nd ONE Super Series win, decisions Kenny Tse at 'ONE: Masters of Destiny' in Malaysia". CONAN Daily. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  8. https://gbring.com/sokuho/result/result2008_07/0727_makick.htm
  9. https://efight.jp/result-20120715_10385
  10. https://efight.jp/result-20121007_4722
  11. http://xn--eckn1esa6c8h0c.com/639.html
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