‘He Truly Gave Me A Dream’ – How Takeru’s Greatness Inspired Yuki Yoza’s Pursuit For Gold At ONE SAMURAI 1

Long before he ever laced up a pair of gloves, Yuki Yoza possessed a crystal-clear vision of exactly who he wanted to become.

The 28-year-old closely watched Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa systematically dismantle opponents, dreaming of one day replicating that exact greatness. That profound admiration never faded, quietly serving as the unshakeable foundation for everything he would go on to build.

Now, the admirer rides into battle alongside the very hero who originally gave him a reason to fight. Stepping onto the grandest stage of his career at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29, Yoza challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

With his close friend and mentor headlining the historic launch of ONE Championship’s monthly series in Japan, the occasion carries a massive emotional weight that extends far beyond gold.

Few athletes have left an indelible mark on Japanese combat sports quite like Takeru. Standing as a former three-division champion in K-1, the 34-year-old icon completely redefined what was possible for Japanese strikers competing on the global stage.

For a young Yoza watching from afar, that spectacular greatness planted a seed that would alter his life trajectory forever.

He said:

“I first heard of Takeru when I was in high school. Seeing how brilliant he was, I started thinking that I wanted to become a professional fighter too. So it wasn’t just a small influence or anything. He truly gave me a dream. He’s the reason I thought, ‘I want to become a fighter.'”

What Yoza could never have accurately predicted was exactly how close that childhood dream would bring him to the man himself. The legendary martial artist he once idolized is now his esteemed teammate at Team Vasileus, training side-by-side under the exact same roof every single day.

Over time, what initially began as a standard senior-and-junior relationship evolved into something far more profound. Takeru did not simply adopt a mentorship role. He became a fiercely loyal friend and a trusted confidant.

That close proximity to greatness inevitably left its mark, fundamentally changing the bantamweight contender from the inside out.

Yoza said:

“He’s someone who pushes himself all the way to the limit. It’s like a battle against your own limits. He really embodies that. That influenced me a lot as well.

“In terms of fighting style, he’s someone who’s willing to step into dangerous range. Sometimes you could play it safe and win by decision. But that’s not enough. It doesn’t satisfy you. Watching Takeru’s fights taught me that mindset. And because of that, I feel like going forward, I need to aim for more knockouts.”

Takeru’s legacy extends well beyond personal accolades and shiny belts. For Yoza, his mentor stands not just as a dominant champion, but as a genuine trailblazer whose greatness heavily influenced an entire generation of martial artists.

The kickboxing icon successfully opened the door for everyone who came after him, reigniting the global appetite for Japanese combat sports and inspiring a fresh wave of warriors to chase their own lofty dreams.

For Yoza, that immense gratitude runs significantly deeper than words can express:

“Because of the environment that Takeru helped create for us, and including ONE, I’ve been able to move forward. ONE has become very well known in Japan, but that recognition really started when Takeru moved to ONE. All the buzz began with him. So I’m really thankful for that.”

Yoza Savors Takeru’s Farewell At ONE Samurai 1

It is only fitting that the inaugural spectacle of ONE’s new Japanese series places the spotlight squarely on Takeru Segawa’s highly anticipated last dance.

For Yuki Yoza, sharing that momentous stage with his close friend is a distinct honor he does not take lightly. It remains a historic night he intends to absorb fully, coming in both as an elite competitor and a lifelong fan.

Once his own high-stakes battle with Jonathan Haggerty is definitively settled, the Japanese challenger’s competitive mindset will switch off completely. What replaces it is pure, unfiltered support for the man whose storied career inspired his own.

He said:

“If Takeru is in perfect condition, it feels like Ariake Arena might explode from the crowd going wild watching such an electrifying fight. And this is just my wish, I hope Takeru wins. And I’ll win my fight too, so we can both smile together at the end of that night.”

With Takeru officially stepping away from the canvas, the spotlight naturally falls directly upon Yoza as the potential next face of Japan’s elite striking scene.

The 28-year-old certainly does not shy away from that heavy responsibility. Rather, he stands fully prepared to carry the torch forward. However, he recognizes that technical excellence only represents part of the equation.

Yoza knows that to truly fill those massive shoes, he requires the kind of undeniable charisma and lasting impact that reaches far beyond the ring — the exact same way Takeru once reached him.

He concluded:

“Just like how Takeru guided our generation, I want to pass something on to the generation after me. Show them dreams. I still think I’m lacking in that area.”

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