{"id":4611,"date":"2024-03-04T14:07:31","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T14:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sogo-kaku.com\/?p=4611"},"modified":"2024-03-07T18:06:27","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T18:06:27","slug":"chihiro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sogo-kaku.com\/ja\/chihiro\/","title":{"rendered":"Chihiro Sawada returns to ONE this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout its history, One Championship has done a lot to promote women in combat sports, and this weekend will be no different when they celebrate International Women\u2019s Day with an all-women\u2019s event at the famed Lumpinee Stadium. One of those set to participate is Chihiro Sawada, the current Shooto Atomweight Champion, who, at 26, is undefeated and widely considered one of Japan\u2019s top prospects. Across the ring from her will be Jihin Radzuan, a veteran with eight fights under the One banner, who has defeated the likes of V.V. Mei and Itsuki Hirata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to One<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we first spoke to Chihiro back in 2022, roughly a year and a half into her pro career, she told us that when she decided to pursue a career in MMA after wrapping up her decorated wrestling career, she did it with the intent of eventually fighting on the international stage and that she was training with the hope of eventually joining her brother in One. For those that are familiar with her, this will make sense considering the influence he has had on her career, be it from her decision to pick up MMA in the first place, to their similar styles, to their now-similar career paths, with her, like him, having climbed up the ranks in Shooto before moving into the ranks of One Championship. However, unlike him, she will go to One with an undefeated record and as a Shooto Champion. When asked about achieving her goal of joining One\u2019s roster, Chihiro told us that she\u2019s very happy to be competing on her dream stage. She also confirmed that she is now under a multi-fight contract with the promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Joining Team Akatsuki <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not only will this be Chihiro\u2019s first fight as an official member of One\u2019s roster, but this will also be her first fight as a member of Team Akatsuki. For those that are unfamiliar, Team Akatsuki is primarily a kickboxing gym run by Ryotaro, a former Knock Out and Rebels champion. In the past, fighters like Panchan Rina, Igor Tanabe, Takakenshin, and Jinnosuke Kashimura have all trained there. Chihiro originally went there to work on her striking, something she considers to be one of her weaknesses, but she has now made it her new home, training under the close supervision of Ryotaro and Koyomi Matsushima. Outside of Team Akatsuki, she also goes to other gyms like Imanari Jiu Jitsu and Master Japan, where some of Japan\u2019s top women gather on weekends to spar. In preparation for this weekend, Chihiro tells us that she probably sparred the most with Machi, who at Strawweight, seems like a wise choice to emulate her upcoming opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Facing a veteran<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Chihiro steps into the ring at Lumpinee this weekend, she will face her toughest challenge to date in Jihin Radzuan, a veteran who\u2019s been in One since 2018. Not only is she a veteran, but she\u2019s faced some of the toughest women on One\u2019s roster, including the current champion Stamp as well as her next challenger Denice Zamboanga. Experience aside, Jihin will also likely be Chihiro\u2019s biggest opponent to date, since under One\u2019s unique ruleset, Atomweight goes up to 115lbs. Not only does it have a higher limit, but Jihin has struggled to make it, having missed weight 3 times and having had to compete at catchweight instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Jihin, Chihiro said \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to have my first fight as an official One fighter be against such an experienced veteran like Jihin. I think it\u2019ll be a difficult challenge, but I\u2019ve prepared myself for it mentally and I\u2019m ready to go test myself in One Championship.\u201d She also added, \u201cI knew that if I were to fight in One, I\u2019d be facing opponents that are bigger than me, but it was my choice to fight here, so to not lose because of my physique, I\u2019ve been working on building up my body as well as improving my strengths as a fighter. I\u2019ve been training hard so that I can go forward and fight with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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What to expect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Going into this weekend, Chihiro told us that she wants to show the fans an aggressive fight, with her attacking from the onset and never taking her foot off the gas. Well, if her last fight is any indication, this is exactly what the fans should expect. In what can be called a flawless victory, Chihiro is coming off a 1st round submission win over the always-game Miku Nakamura, where she repeatedly took her down and landed ground-and-pound, while constantly looking to advance before ultimately forcing Miku\u2019s corner to throw in the towel with 3 seconds left in the round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Watch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Friday March 8th, 8PM ET US\/ Saturday March 9th, 9AM SGT Asia<\/p>\n\n\n\n