In Photos: Noiri, Yoza, Matsukura, And Tamaru Gear Up For ONE SAMURAI 4 At Team Vasileus Open Workout
Four of Team Vasileus’ most dangerous kickboxers put their skills on full display at an open workout at Vasileus Gym in Tokyo, Japan, this past Tuesday, September 29.
Former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri, two-division RISE Champion Toki Tamaru, and former K-1 Champions Yuki Yoza and Shintaro Matsukura showcased their striking repertoires ahead of ONE SAMURAI 4.
The blockbuster ONE SAMURAI 4 event broadcasts live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Saturday, October 17, and there’s a lot at stake for each member of Team Vasileus.
Noiri: Tournament Glory And A Rematch In Sight
The most high-stakes appearance on the card belongs to Masaaki Noiri, who enters the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals against Mohammad Siasarani with one eye firmly on the finale.
Noiri owns a 52-14 career record with 28 stoppage wins and boasts one of the most memorable performances in recent ONE Championship history, having knocked out former ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai to claim the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title in March 2025.
However, the 33-year-old Japanese striker fell short in his bid to unify the gold against Superbon last November.
Rather than dwell on the defeat, Noiri channeled it into fuel to avenge his previous loss to “Spirit Dragon” Liu Mengyang in tournament’s quarterfinal round. A tournament victory would put him back on a collision course with Superbon for the undisputed crown.
Yoza: Back In World Title Contention
Few fighters have made a bigger impact on the ONE Championship bantamweight kickboxing division over the past year than Yuki Yoza.
The former K-1 Champion holds a 23-3 record, and he has built his global reputation on some of the most punishing calf kicks in the sport. After beating Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov in his promotional debut in May 2025, he followed it up with stunning victories over former ONE World Champions Petchtanong Petchfergus and “The Kicking Machine” Superlek.
That momentum carried him to a five-round World Title war against ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1 in April. Despite being competitive throughout the match, the 28-year-old Japanese fighter fell short that evening at Ariake Arena.
Yoza bounced back with a solid unanimous decision win over Ben “The Problem” Woolliss at The Inner Circle 22 in July, and now he faces former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane in a matchup that could reignite his path back to the gold.
Matsukura: A Debut Worth Waiting For
At 34 years old, Shintaro Matsukura steps into the ONE Championship ring for the first time at ONE SAMURAI 4, and he does so with 38 career wins behind him.
The Team Vasileus veteran made his name on the domestic kickboxing scene, winning the inaugural KNOCK OUT Black Super Middleweight Title and later the K-1 Middleweight Championship.
Now, Matsukura makes his promotional debut against former two-time ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee in a lightweight kickboxing clash, and he is undoubtedly motivated to make a statement and begin his climb toward two-sport king Regian Eersel‘s kickboxing belt.
Tamaru: Building His Legacy
The youngest member of the quartet is 24-year-old Toki Tamaru, who looks to continue the momentum he has built since arriving in ONE Championship.
Tamaru made an impressive promotional debut at ONE SAMURAI 1, claiming a unanimous decision win over Toma Kuroda to announce himself on the global stage.
At ONE SAMURAI 4, he faces compatriot Shoma Okumura in a strawweight kickboxing matchup, and a second straight victory would undoubtedly further establish his credentials.
Here are some photos from the recent open workout at Vasileus Gym ahead of ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17.
