“My Mindset Changed” – Takeru Segawa Opens Up On the Significance of Training in Thailand

Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa is considered being one of the greatest kickboxers ever, but he wasn’t always so sure of his path in life. This Sunday, January 28, the 32-year-old megastar will make his much-anticipated ONE debut in the main event of ONE 165 when he challenges “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the Thai’s ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.

Slated to go on Takeru’s home soil at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, the blockbuster showdown represents his opportunity to add 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold to his trophy case. A three-division Kickboxing World Champion and veteran of 46 thrilling professional fights, the Japanese knockout artist began his legendary career by just dabbling in martial arts.

Takeru Segawa recalls his start in martial arts

Despite his prodigious natural gifts and raw talent, Takeru wasn’t initially serious about kickboxing as a career. It wasn’t until he made a trip to Thailand – the birthplace of Muay Thai and home to thousands of dedicated, high-level fighters – that he was inspired to go all in on combat sports.

He explained how training in Thailand shaped him into the fighter he is today: “I saved all the money myself to go to Thailand. My mother was kind of strict. Since I was a kid, I was told that if I had something I wanted to do, I had to do it on my own – otherwise, it meant nothing.”

“While I was in Japan, I used to do martial arts because I liked it, so it was more like a hobby for me. But after I went to Thailand, I found that all my teammates at the gym were doing it for a living. They were about my age and still in high school, but still, they were fighting to support their families, and it changed my view about martial arts.” Said Takeru.

The Kickboxing World Champion commends the fighting culture in Thailand

Blown away by the discipline and determination he saw in young Thai athletes, “The Natural Born Crusher” seemed to flip a switch, evolving from a talented hobbyist to an elite striker with World Championship aspirations.

He credited a great deal of his motivation to what he witnessed in Thailand; he said, “The strength of those who were making this desperate effort for their living was amazing, and I was impressed. My mindset changed, and I thought I had to be motivated in the same way. It made me decide to focus more on martial arts.”

Takeru Segawa has managed to stay on top of the sport for quite some time now. However, now that he has joined one of the biggest combat sports promotions in the world, with some of the best fighters, how do you think that he would fare against the competition?

Read More: Chatri Sityodtong Says MMA Will Be “Back in Full Force” in 2024 After Monumental Year for Muay Thai

All the action from ONE 165 will be broadcast on pay-per-view on watch.onefc.com this Sunday.