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If there's one person who understands that fame, glory, and riches aren't all that it seems, it's certainly Takeru Segawa. The former multi-division K1 world champion has accomplished great things in the striking arts and has a career resume that most fighters can only dream about.
As satisfying as it is to reach the pinnacle of his sport, Takeru admits there are some hidden pitfalls that come along with it.
In an interview with ONE Championship, 'The Natural Born Crusher' agreed that heavy is the head that holds the crown:
"While I get power from this, there's also pressure and mental challenges. There was a time when I couldn't enjoy what I originally loved doing. Now, after being a champion in Japan and K-1, I'm fighting as a challenger again aiming for world number one overseas."
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Takeru is indeed enjoying the thrill of chasing gold again since taking his talents to the world's largest martial arts organization.
The Japanese megastar stumbled in his first attempt at the promotion, losing a grueling five-round battle with flyweight kickboxing king Superlek KIiatmoo9 at ONE 165 last January.
Still, Takeru's unwavering determination shines as bright as day heading into his sophomore outing at ONE Friday Fights 81.
Takeru reveals the damage he took in Superlek war
As much as Takeru wanted to bounce back as soon as possible after falling short against 'The Kicking Machine', his body needed to recuperate.
In the same interview, the Team Vaselius product revealed the serious injuries he sustained in his bid to become a ONE world champion:
"It feels like 8 months have already passed. It went by so quickly. I fractured my knee and tore my thigh muscle in the January fight. The time it took to rebuild my body from there went by quickly. I'm happy that my body has recovered to the point where I can fight again."
Now with a clean bill of health, Takeru returns to action against lethwei specialist Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut on Sept. 27 at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live in Asian primetime via watch.onefc.com
