Takeru Opens Up After Historic Farewell Win

Takeru Segawa saved the best for last. In front of a roaring home crowd at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, the Japanese kickboxing icon brought down the curtain on a historic career in the most breathtaking fashion imaginable.

He claimed the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title via TKO against the fearsome Rodtang Jitmuangnon in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29.

It was a farewell that will be spoken about for generations.

"Natural Born Krusher" had unfinished business with the Thai megastar heading into the night. A devastating 80-second loss to Rodtang in their first encounter had left a mark, and Takeru carried that weight all the way to the most important night of his career. When it mattered most, he delivered.

What made the performance even more remarkable was Takeru's mindset walking into the ring. He was not just fighting for a ONE World Title or revenge. He was fighting for the final chapter of a 30-year martial arts journey, and he embraced every second of it.

"Today, I knew his punches were strong, but I was fully prepared to take them, which helped me endure. Also, it was my last fight. I was prepared to die rather than fall, so I just took the punches,” Takeru said.

Even in the heat of battle, with the crowd on its feet and the rounds ticking away, Takeru found moments of pure joy.

Those watching at ringside noticed him smiling and taunting Rodtang mid-fight, and the Japanese legend had a simple explanation for it.

"Yes, it was fun. I wanted to exchange blows with him. When I realized my 30-year martial arts life was going to end in these five rounds, I wanted to win, but a part of me also wanted to take more of Rodtang's punches," the Japanese kickboxing legend admitted.

When the final bell had rung and the moment sank in, Takeru could only reflect on the improbability of it all. A 34-year-old fighter, doubting his own body, carried over the finish line by the love of an entire nation.

"I'm just really happy, that's all I can say. I didn't think I'd still be fighting at 34, and I physically didn't think I'd last. But thanks to the support of so many people, I was able to make it this far as a martial artist," he concluded.