Takeru Segawa embraces retirement fight at ONE SAMURAI 1 as the culmination of storied career

Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa is stepping into the ring one final time with the weight of a nation behind him. The 34-year-old Japanese kickboxing icon faces Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon for the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1 on Wednesday, April 29, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

For Takeru, the occasion carries meaning that stretches far beyond a rematch or a title. As the headliner of the inaugural edition of ONE Championship’s new monthly Japanese series, he understands that his performance sets the tone for everything that follows. The former three-division K-1 Champion signed with ONE with one opponent in mind, and their first meeting at ONE 172 last March ended in 80 seconds — a left hook, a knockdown, a finish he has been working to answer ever since.

He told ONE Championship what this night means to him.

“I believe this fight will be the one to leave the proof of what I have done as a fighter. I consider this retirement fight the culmination of everything I have done as a fighter, and not just a regular fight of my career,” he said.

“Victory would definitely be special because this is the fight to win the ONE Championship belt and defeat the opponent I have always wanted to fight the most before I retire.”

Takeru Segawa carries Japan’s martial arts legacy into his final fight

Takeru’s investment in ONE SAMURAI runs deeper than his own farewell. He wants the monthly series to become a destination — the kind of event that reshapes Japan’s combat sports landscape the way K-1 once did. He wants the fighters who come after him to inherit something worth fighting for.

His karate roots give this mission a personal dimension that title chases alone never could. For Takeru, winning in Tokyo is an act of cultural pride as much as athletic ambition.

“I originally came from karate myself, a different martial art. So, winning this important fight will be special. I want to show Japan’s bushido spirit to the world and win,” he said.

“Japan is a nation of martial arts, and the likes of karate, judo, and plenty of other martial arts started here.

“After my retirement, I hope the martial arts sports industry will remain popular and lively. It will make me sad if it declines after I’m gone. So, I want to do what I can to keep combat sports in Japan popular and thriving.”