Toshio Fujiwara (藤原 敏男 Fujiwara Toshio, born March 3, 1948) is a Japanese former kickboxer. Out of 141 professional fights before retiring at age 35, Fujiwara won 126, with a remarkable 99 by knockout; most notably, he was the first non-Thai to win a national Muay Thai title belt in Bangkok, a fact that many older Thais still remember and respect about him. Fujiwara became the first ever non-Thai stadium champion in 1978[1] when he won the lightweight title at Rajadamnern Stadium.
| Toshio Fujiwara | |
|---|---|
| Born | Toshio Fujiwara 3 March 1948 Miyako, Iwate, Japan |
| Native name | 藤原 敏男 |
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Weight | 61 kg (134 lb; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Mejiro, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | Mejiro Gym |
| Trainer | Kenji Kurosaki |
| Years active | 1969–1983 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 141 |
| Wins | 126 |
| By knockout | 99 |
| Losses | 13 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | President of Toshio Fujiwara Sports Gym President of Japan Martial Arts Directors |
| Website | Toshio Fujiwara Sports Gym (in Japanese) |
Last updated on: March 21, 2010 | |
Biography and career edit
Prior to his kickboxing career, Toshio Fujiwara was mainly engaged in table tennis and maintained great physical fitness. He had no martial arts background before starting Taikiken, a Yiquan derative founded by Kenichi Sawai.[2][3]
A graduate from the Chuo University, he started training kickboxing at the Mejiro Gym in July 1969, learning under Kenji Kurosaki. He soon won the All Japan Kickboxing Federation championship, and did his first travels to Thailand in 1971.
In late April of 1972, Fujiwara fought Rungnapa Sitsomsak. The even fight ended in a DQ win for Fujiwara, as Sitsomak's unsportsmanlike conduct got him disqualified on the third round.[4]
In 1975, he had surgery to his left shin which left him hospitalised for 6 weeks.[5] Three days after leaving hospital he ran at a long-distance event.[5]
On March 18, 1978, Fujiwara fought Monsawan Ruk Changmai for the vacant Rajadamnern Championship. The fight ended in controversial fashion, as Fujiwara accidentally headbutted Monsawan unconscious, when both tumbled when locked in a clinch. Regardless, this fight allowed Fujiwara to be the first non-Thai to secure a Rajadamnern championship title win.[6]
Fujiwara retired from fighting in 1983 with a impressive fight record.[7] Subsequently, he founded his own gym, Toshio Fujiwara Sports Gym, which he runs presently in Tokyo. His most famous student in recent years is Satoshi Kobayashi, but many other well-known kickboxers and martial artists have also trained with him, including Masahiro Yamamoto, Satoru Sayama, Sanshu Tsubakichi and Takaaki Nakamura.
In 2010, he was appointed Chairman of Japan Martial arts Directors (JMD), a commissioning group co-operating with the World Professional Muaythai Federation to oversee the development of the sport in Japan.[8]
Fight record edit
| 126 wins (99 KO's), 13 Losses, 2 Draws | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-02-05 | Win | Hideo Adachi |
Tokyo, Japan | KO (Punches) | 3 | |||
| 1983-01-07 | Win | Dan Masabatsu |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 4 | |||
| 1982-11-20 | Win | Tsubasa Goro |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 3 | |||
| 1982-07-25 | Win | Younger Funaki |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 5 | |||
| 1982-01-07 | Win |  Manny Johnston |
Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Towel thrown) | 4 | 1:52 | ||
| Defends Shin-Kakutojutsu World Lightweight championship title. | ||||||||
| 1981-12- | Win | Keiichi Sei |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 3 | |||
| 1981-06- | Win | Kou Saotome |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 1 | |||
| 1981-05- | Loss | Keiji Saito |
Tokyo, Japan | TKO | 2 | |||
| 1980-09-29 | Win |  Kripet Pratep |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1980-08-28 | Win | Sinsak Sosripan |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1980-02-27 | Win | Chan Chiarun |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1980-01-28 | Loss | Santi Rekchai |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1980-01-03 | Win | Kunimasa Nagae |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1979-12- | Win | Saksaron Saknarong |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1979-08- | Loss | Weerachat Sordaeng |
Tokyo, Japan | TKO | 2 | |||
| 1979-06- | Win | Santi Rekchai |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1979-04-03 | Win | Khunponnoi Haphalang |
Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Punches) | 5 | |||
| 1979-02-12 | Loss | Narongnoi Kiatbandit |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| For a 2 million baht side-bet. | ||||||||
| 1979-02-06 | Win | Prayuth Sittiboonlert |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1978-12-23 | Win | Sinsak Sosripan |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1978-11-25 | Win | Pirapon Chosaman |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1978-10-30 | Win | Siprae Kiatsompop |
Tokyo, Japan | KO (Right Hook) | 7 | |||
| Winning Shin-Kakutojutsu World Lightweight championship title. | ||||||||
| 1978-10-10 | Win | Pirapon Chosaman |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1978-09-15 | Win | Pudpadnoi Worawut |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1978-08-26 | Win | Pirapon Chosaman |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 4 | |||
| 1978-08-02 | Win | Refugio Flores |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 5 | |||
| 1978-06-07 | Loss | Siprae Kiatsompop |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Lost Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight title. | ||||||||
| 1978-05-27 | Win | Wongchai Chorsawan |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1978-03-18 | Win | Mongsawan Lukchangmai |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 4 | |||
| Wins the Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) title. Fujiwara became the second non-Thai to be a major Stadium champion. | ||||||||
| 1977-11-14 | Win | Wannarong Piramit |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1977-09-17 | Win | Sorpongsak Sohoyo |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Uppercut) | 2 | 1:08 | |
| 1977-07-24 | Win | Chawarin Kiatchangklrai |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1977-04-07 | Win | Chalermpon Sor Tha-It |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins Thailand Boxing Council World Lightweight title. Becomes the first foreigner to win a Muay Thai World title in Thailand. | ||||||||
| 1977-03-05 | Win | Katsuyuki Suzuki |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 5 | 0:44 | |
| Retains AJKA title.(6) After this bout, Fujiwara returned his title. | ||||||||
| 1976-12-4 | Win | Tsuchai Iserapap |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1976-10-30 | Win | Rawee Wiwerchai |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| 1976-09- | Win | Tsuchai Iserapap |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1976-08-21 | Loss | Rawee Wiwerchai |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Middle kicks) | 1 | 0:55 | |
| 1976-07- | Win | Gamonfa Sitesai |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1976-07-09 | Win | Ryo Tsuchiya |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | TKO | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Retains AJKA title.(5) | ||||||||
| 1976-06- | Win | Chobu Rai |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1976-05- | Win | Rung Sinyasonpon |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1976-05- | Win | Gamonfa Sitesai |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1976-04- | Win | Rantae Weerapon |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | TKO | 2 | ||
| 1976-03-08 | Loss | Sirimongkol Luksiripat |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1976-01-27 | Win | Bakrynu Maropitak |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1976-01-1 | Win | Rung Sinyasonpon |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1975-12- | Win | Ri Sapoton |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1975-11- | Win | Chachain Lukbangko |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1975-10- | Win | Pesito Simoosan |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1975-05-31 | Win | Masanobu Sato |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Retains AJKA title.(4) | ||||||||
| 1975-05- | Win | Chamoon Pontawee |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1975-04- | Win | Banchin Sibaton |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1975-03-8 | Win | Chamoon Pontawee |
Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
| 1974-11-26 | Loss | Jaidee Pisanurachan |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| for the BBTV Lightweight title. | ||||||||
| 1974-10-29 | Win | Jaidee Pisanurachan |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1974-09- | Win | Asawin Charonchai |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1974-09- | Win | Fason Sosampakon |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1974-08- | Win | Taksin Chanarit |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1974-07- | Win | Shozo Nakamura |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 5 | |||
| 1974-06-12 | Draw | Muangchon Jeeraphan |
Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1974-05- | Win | Saenchin Petchatanun |
Tokyo, Japan | KO | 3 | |||
| 1974-04- | Win | Radjo Isarapap |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1974-03- | Win | Bangyai Isarapap |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1974-01- | Win | Kyoshi Masuzawa |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1974-01- | Win | Potoron Soponwat |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1973-12- | Win | Goro Arashi |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Retains AJKA title.(3) | ||||||||
| 1973-11- | Win | Sakuda Iserapa |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1973-11- | Win | Asawin Sidowata |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1973-10- | Loss | Ronchai Wancharasak |
TKO (referee stoppage) | 2 | ||||
| 1973-07- | Win | Komchak Sida |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1973-06-30 | Win | Richidet Sangmorakot |
All Japan Kickboxing | Tokyo, Japan | KO | 2 | ||
| 1973-06-06 | Win | Masanori Sawano |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Retains AJKA title.(2) | ||||||||
| 1973-04- | Win | Meksuran Iserapa |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1973-04- | Win | Samsei Iserapa |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1973-03-29 | Win | Shozo Saijo |
All Japan Kickboxing | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (corner stoppage) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 1973-03-01 | Win | Monkran Srisothorn |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1973-02- | Win | Shinji Tomaru |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1973-01-22 | Win | Pripechee Rukprajanban |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1973-01-15 | Win | Tarnin Saksery |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1973-01- | Win | Senpet Tunaronglit |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1972-11-30 | Draw | Minoru Shanzyo |
Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1972-11-22 | Win | Samande Itechai |
Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
| 1972-10- | Win | Bindio Apansak |
KO | |||||
| 1972-10- | Win | Atisak Uik |
KO | |||||
| 1972-08-12 | Loss | Saenchai Srisompop |
Kittikachorn Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Doctor stoppage/cut) | 4 | ||
| 1972-07- | Win | Srasak Wapuyak |
KO | |||||
| 1972-07- | Win | Werasak Sodek |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1972-06-21 | Win | Yoshimitsu Tamashiro |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Retains AJKA title(1). | ||||||||
| 1972-05-21 | Win | Tanwa Novinyam |
KO | |||||
| 1972-04-30 | Win | Rungnapa Sitsomsak |
Bangkok, Thailand | DQ | 4 | |||
| 1972-03- | Win | Tosak Timrand |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1972-02- | Win | Sitchai Amonrad |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1972-01- | Win | Honton Swwonmisbwon |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1972-01- | Win | Itenushi Marako |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1971-11- | Win | Saksui Suihara |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1971-11-05 | Win | Yoshimitsu Tamashiro |
AJKA | Tokyo, Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Win the tournament for the inaugural All Japan Kickboxing Association Lightweight title. | ||||||||
| 1971-10- | Win | Potep Repara |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1971-09- | Win | Krasuk Rukhayer |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1971-08- | Win | Isorayuk Chaimrand |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1971-08- | Win | Yorkursuk Sakchari |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1971-07- | Win | Shina Takashi |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1971-06- | Win | Buton Sikmu |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1971-05- | Win | Fadem Rukbamkra |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1971-05- | Win | Buton Sikmu |
KO | 5 | ||||
| 1971-04- | Loss | Srasak Wayupak |
TKO (referee stoppage) | 2 | ||||
| 1971-04- | Win | Viradarek Rukranton |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1971-03- | Win | Pichron Rudson |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1971-03- | Win | Sirisak Rukgansiri |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1971-02- | Win | Pripan Beosryan |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1971-02- | Win | Pirapon Lumeini |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1971-01- | Win | Viradack Lukrontan |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-12-25 | Win | Sonkran Lukpanchaman |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1970-11-28 | Win | Pichan Sicharo |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1970-11-11 | Win | Kwanjaluk Satahip |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-10-31 | Win | Kazuo Nimoto |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1970-10-17 | Win | Tchaomang Sopiboon |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1970-09-26 | Win | Goming Sicharo |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-09-05 | Win | Tachasing Sicharo |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1970-08-17 | Win | Mitsuo Nakano |
KO | 3 | ||||
| 1970-08-07 | Win | Tyali Saktyali |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-07-27 | Win | Yasesak Srimon |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1970-07-10 | Win | Sorasak Jeuaron |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1970-06-22 | Win | Krachai Honsurai |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-05-30 | Win | Muanyak Kachapichit |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-05-09 | Win | Bandal Ruskrepat |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-04-13 | Win | Tcharomchai Kartesuk |
KO | 1 | ||||
| 1970-04-04 | Win | Chainor Jadoparson |
KO | 2 | ||||
| 1970-03-20 | Win | Mitsuo Nakano |
Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1970-02-27 | Win | Surin Udomsak |
KO | 4 | ||||
| 1970-02-07 | Win | Honkaew Suranmisakawan |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1970-01-21 | Win | Chainor Jadoparson |
Japan | KO | 4 | |||
| 1970-01-06 | Win | Phoenix Yamaguchi |
Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1969-12-19 | Win | Eiji Sakamoto |
Japan | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1969-11- | Loss | Sakuchai Rakanton |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1969-10- | Loss | Nampon Kartesuk |
Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |||
| 1969-10-01 | Win | Takao Sakai |
Japan | KO | 2 | |||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Look Japan: The newspaper of industry". Look Japan. 42 (481–492): 40. ISSN 0456-5339.
- ^ Serge Trefeu (Thanks to Andre Zeitoun) (2017). "THE LEGEND TOSHIO FUJIWARA, THE MAN IN 99 KO!". Siam Fight Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
[Fujiwara] was already a sportsman but not really in the world of the combat sports. He had practised "Taikiken (Japanese Martial Art inspired by Chinese Yi Quan)". But he was especially, during several years, a champion of table tennis and classified among the best university players of ping-pong of the country...
- ^ Bryan, Andrew (January 9, 2022). "Toshio Fujiwara & The Invention of Kickboxing". Black Belt Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
Fujiwara wasn't a stranger to sports prior to training with Kurosaki, but his background was very different from kickboxing. Playing tennis, Fujiwara was certainly fit, but his martial arts experience had come from practicing Taikiken, a Japanese style influenced heavily by Yiquan, Fujiawara had amusingly stumbled across a martial art that Mas Oyama himself and practised. The world of kickboxing though, would prove to be very different.
- ^ Stockmann, Hardy (September 1972). "Thai, Japanese Stage Kick-boxing Showdown". Black Belt Magazine.
...unrated but popular lightweight Rungnapa Sitsomsak fought an even battle with Japan's Toshio Fujiwara until the third round, when the Thai started clowning in the Ring. [...] [Sitsomsak's] behavior became so ridicilous that referee Prasit Kawbboon stopped the fight and disqualified the Thai.
- ^ a b Kurosaki, Kenji (1981). Desperate Power, Desperate Mind. Sports Life Company. p. 76.
- ^ Bryan, Andrew (January 9, 2022). "Toshio Fujiwara & The Invention of Kickboxing". Black Belt Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
Fujiwara's claim to fame was when he faced Monsawan Ruk Changmai, on March 18th 1978 in Tokyo for the vacant Rajadamnern Championship. [...]As the fight progressed, eventually the two entered into a wilder exchange. Toshio tied up in the clinch before barrelling Monsawan over, Monsawan landed on his head, Toshio flipped over his head and Monsawan was out cold. It was a strange win. Perhaps the fight would have been rules[sic] a no contest in Thailand, after all it certainly looked like the win had come via an accidental diving headbutt. This fight was contested in Japan, however. Toshio Fujiawara had become the first ever non-Thai to win the Rajadamnern title.
- ^ David Asa Schwartz (2021). Modern Sports around the World: History, Geography, and Sociology. ABC-CLIO. p. 199. ISBN 9781440868801.
1983 - Toshio Fujiwara retires as one of the most successful professional kickboxers of all time, winning 126 of 141 matches, including 99 by knockout.
- ^ "ムエタイ＆RISEをより競技化するためJMD発足、理事長は藤原敏男氏 (JMD launched to make Muay Thai & RISE more competitive)". gbring.com. 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2018-01-24.