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‘My True Self Will Come Out’ – Itsuki Hirata On Her Struggles And Comeback At ONE SAMURAI 1
TL;DR
Itsuki Hirata discusses her journey back to mixed martial arts after a challenging period. She is set to face Ritu Phogat at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 in Tokyo.
Key points
- Itsuki Hirata will fight Ritu Phogat at ONE SAMURAI 1.
- The event takes place on April 29 in Tokyo, Japan.
- Hirata faced a tough period, losing four of five matches.
- She previously won six of her first seven professional fights.
- Hirata has rediscovered her passion for mixed martial arts.
Mentioned in this story
Tokyo
Itsuki HirataRitu PhogatONE SAMURAI 1
Japanese fan favorite Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata has opened up about stepping away from mixed martial arts, rediscovering her love of fighting, and the mission that awaits her at ONE SAMURAI 1.
The 26-year-old will face Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat in an atomweight MMA clash on Wednesday, April 29, live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Hirata’s career has been a tale of two halves. The judoka burst onto the professional MMA scene with an electrifying run, winning six of her first seven matches and establishing herself as one of the most exciting young talents in ONE Championship’s atomweight MMA division.
Then came a painful stretch that tested her resolve to its limits, dropping four of her next five contests and pushing her to a breaking point few athletes are willing to admit.
She confessed:
“There was a time when I stopped training and stepped away from fighting for a while. Back then, I kept losing, and I just lost confidence and didn’t feel like I could push myself toward a fight. I wasn’t enjoying it at all, and there was a time I didn’t even want to do it.
“I think I looked like I was having more fun in my debut fight. I fought without fear, but after experiencing losses, I started becoming more cautious and a bit more afraid.”
The Tokyo native knows the joy that made her special in the early days of her promotional tenure is still inside her, and she is determined to bring it back out in front of her hometown crowd.
Hirata recognized that fear and anxiety have held her back from performing at her best, and breaking through that mental wall has become just as important as any physical preparation.
The judoka shared:
“I still want to show more in my fights. And to do that, I have to break through my fear and anxiety and show everything I’ve got, as much as I possibly can in the fight. But that’s kind of the wall I’m facing right now, so it’s not easy. But once I overcome it, I think my true self will come out more.”
Q&A
What challenges did Itsuki Hirata face in her MMA career?
Hirata experienced a difficult phase, losing four of her last five matches, which tested her resolve significantly.
When is Itsuki Hirata's fight against Ritu Phogat scheduled?
Hirata's fight against Ritu Phogat is scheduled for April 29 at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo, Japan.
How did Itsuki Hirata rediscover her passion for fighting?
Hirata stepped away from mixed martial arts but later rediscovered her love for fighting, leading to her comeback.
What is Itsuki Hirata's record in professional MMA?
Hirata initially won six of her first seven matches, establishing herself as a promising talent in the atomweight division.
