‘I’m Glad I Came Back Alive’ – Takeru Segawa Reflects On Epic TKO Over Rodtang And Emotional Retirement
Fans inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena witnessed the perfect, poetic end to one of the greatest careers in combat sports history this past Wednesday, April 29, as Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa closed the book on his legendary martial arts journey with a performance for the ages at ONE SAMURAI 1.
In a breathtaking main event that will be talked about for decades, the 34-year-old veteran defeated Thai megastar Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon via fifth-round TKO to capture the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title.
The bout was an absolute war of attrition, but in the end, Takeru shattered Rodtang’s aura of invincibility. The “Natural Born Krusher” dropped the Thai twice in a chaotic second round, and then he finished the job with two more staggering knockdowns to secure the stoppage victory at the 2:22 mark of the final frame.
Following his crowning achievement, Takeru laid his gloves on the canvas and delivered a tearful retirement speech to the millions of fans watching around the globe.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, the reality of the moment was still washing over the newly crowned ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion.
The Japanese superstar offered:
“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.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the ONE staff. I’m truly happy that my final fight could be on this stage.”
Entering the ring against the most dangerous pressure fighter on the planet, Takeru carried the crushing weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders.
While he portrayed absolute confidence during fight week, he admitted that the buildup to his final walk was agonizing. Against an opponent with Rodtang’s terrifying firepower – a man who knocked him out cold in 80 seconds just a year ago – the fear of failing his fans kept him awake at night.
Takeru revealed:
“Honestly, it hasn’t really sunk in yet because I haven’t watched my fight. I didn’t want to show weakness before the fight, so I kept quiet. But every day I was having nightmares about being knocked out, losing consciousness, or breaking my leg.
“I was terrified of disappointing everyone’s expectations. So right now, my overriding feeling is just, ‘I’m glad I came back alive.’”
That fear could have paralyzed another fighter, especially during the hellacious exchanges where Takeru absorbed massive, unguarded blows from “The Iron Man.” But the Japanese veteran refused to fold.
Unlike in his first encounter with Rodtang at ONE 172 in March 2025, where he battled through a broken sternum and ribs, Takeru was fully prepared for the fire this time.
He explained:
“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. I was fighting with those mixed feelings.
“I researched his fighting style a lot. Rodtang seems like he’s just swinging wildly, but he moves like a master, which I learned from observing. 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 Recognized Weakness To Find Ultimate Strength
To secure the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title, Takeru Segawa had to do something he had rarely done in his entire career: admit he was vulnerable.
For years, the “Natural Born Krusher” operated with an aura of invincibility. But the transition to the world’s largest martial arts organization forced him to confront the physical toll of his decades-long career.
The Tokyo resident said:
“Coming to ONE allowed me to properly recognize my own weaknesses. Back when I kept winning, I truly thought I would never lose. But coming here, I discovered my weak points. I acknowledged the weaknesses I felt in ONE, and the reality that my body has been slowly breaking down.
“Rather than ‘overcoming’ them, it was more about recognizing that I couldn’t do the things I used to do. I was still trying to fight the same way, which is partly why my body broke down. I recognized that and changed my approach. Since it was my final fight, I pushed myself to the absolute limit today, intending to use up my body entirely even if it breaks, and I managed to balance that fine line successfully.”
With his body completely spent, Takeru confirmed there are no lingering desires for one more fight. He gave everything he had in the ring one final time.
Now, his focus shifts to the legacy he leaves behind. The dynamo vividly remembers the dark period of Japanese combat sports following the retirement of legendary kickboxer Masato Kobayashi, and he is determined to prevent history from repeating itself.
In a powerful call to action, Takeru urged the entire Japanese martial arts ecosystem to unite.
He declared:
“My active career ends today, but I don’t want the passion for Japanese martial arts to die out. Masato-san built up the scene, but when he retired, it declined. I went through a difficult period then. For the kids who started martial arts admiring me, and for future fighters, I want to leave a big stage for them.”
And as he walks away from the sport that defined his existence, the “Natural Born Krusher” wants his ultimate victory over Rodtang to serve as a beacon of hope for anyone who doubts their own potential.
Takeru admits that martial arts – and even athletics, for that matter – didn’t come naturally. But he had an undying passion for it and dedicated himself to his craft, which paved the way for his incredible success.
He concluded:
“I really had no martial arts talent at first. I started in elementary school, couldn’t win, and my athletic ability was just average. But I was able to become strong and leave results like this. So, I don’t want people with dreams to ever give up.
“If I hadn’t encountered martial arts, I think I would have had a worthless life. I’m only 34, but martial arts has made my life so wonderful. I have nothing but pure gratitude for it.”
