“Rock bottom and the highest point” - Takeru looks back at bittersweet 2024, thanks his supporters ahead of pivotal 2025 campaign

Takeru Segawa didn't have the best campaign in 2024 yet looks back on the year with a vision toward the next one. The Japanese kickboxing icon had a bittersweet run in his first year with ONE Championship when he split his two matches against Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Thant Zin.

Taking to Instagram, Takeru thanked his teammates and supporters for always having his back no matter the situation.

He added that he almost hit rock bottom when he fell short in his challenge for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title against Superlek at ONE 165, before bouncing back with a huge knockout win over Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81.

Takeru wrote:

"Thank you so much for all the support this year! The reason I'm still able to fight like this is because of everyone's support and the support of my precious teammates. This year started with a serious injury in a match in January, and with everyone's support, I was able to make a comeback and finally face the opponent I wanted to fight the most. It was a year in which I experienced rock bottom and the highest point."

Takeru is one of the biggest signings ONE Championship had in its history, and he was quickly paired up with Rodtang Jitmuangnon for a kickboxing super fight at ONE 165 in January.

Rodtang, however, suffered a hand injury in training and had to pull out of the Tokyo card. Superlek, though, stepped in on short notice and put his ONE flyweight kickboxing world title on the line against Takeru.

Despite a near-finish in the third round, Takeru fell short via unanimous decision against Superlek while suffering muscle tears in his left leg.

Takeru ultimately earned his first win in the promotion when he scored an exhilarating knockout win against Thant Zin in Bangkok in September.

---

Takeru says he'll put everything on the line in super fight against Rodtang

Takeru Segawa is putting everything on the line in what could be the biggest fight of his career.

The three-division K-1 Kickboxing world champion will finally trade limb and leather with Rodtang Jitmuangnon in the main event of ONE 172 on March 23 at the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In an interview with Bangkok Post, Takeru said he's going all-in when he takes on Rodtang in their kickboxing super fight.

"It's been a while [for this fight]. I've been waiting for this fight to happen, and I'm very excited for this March. I'm going to put everything in this fight."