Yoshihiro Akiyama

At 49 years old, Yoshihiro Akiyama has this physical status:

Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲, born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (추성훈), is a Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka who won the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Championships for South Korea and for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. A fourth-generation Japanese of Korean descent, he acquired Japanese nationality in 2001. He is the former K-1 HERO's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.

Personal life

Choo Sung-hoon's great-grandfather, Choo Jeong-won, was born in Jeju County, Jeollanam-do, Korean Empire (now Jeju City). During the Imperial Japanese occupation of Korea, Choo Jeong-won and his family sailed to Japan and adopted Japanese names to help settle in. In March 2009, Akiyama married famous Japanese fashion model Shiho Yano (also known as SHIHO in Japan) whom he had been dating since January 2007. The couple have a daughter, Choo Sarang, who was born on October 24, 2011. Akiyama and Sarang starred in the reality show, The Return of Superman, covering their father-daughter relationship.

He names Heavyweight Champion boxer Mike Tyson as his hero and holds a University degree in Commerce. He is close friends with South Korean actor Jang Keun-suk. In September 2015, Akiyama also appeared as a guest on 2 Days & 1 Night.

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Judo career

Akiyama was a decorated Judoka before his professional mixed martial arts career. At the age of three, he began training in Judo. With Greg Jackson, he has also competed in Karate, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Wrestling, Wrestling, and Submission Wrestling.

Choo, the representative of South Korea, received the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Judo Championships.

Akiyama, a representative of Japan, gained the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games, defeating Ahn Dong-Jin of South Korea in the finals.

Akiyama qualified to the semi-finals of the 81 kg Light Middleweight division over three opponents from France, Mongolia, and Turkey. However, all three opponents claimed that Akiyama had a slippery judogi. Akiyama lost two games in a row (semifinal and 3rd-place match) and missed the medal, despite wearing a reserve gi.

The slippery texture of the gi was due to the high humidity that was present in Osaka, as well as a detergent used to wash the uniform, according to International Judo Federation referee Juan Carlos Barcos. "We had no doubt about fair play in this case at any time." We are absolutely positive that Mr. Akiyama is correct, since the jacket was changed at the request of the jury, Barcos said.

When Akiyama competed in the world championship trials in 2002, they were also accused of wearing faulty clothing by former world and Olympic champion Kenzo Nakamura.

Mixed martial arts career

Akiyama's mixed martial arts debut was in the K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite tournament, where he defeated boxer Francois Botha by armbar submission in the first round. Although LeBanner was a heavyweight who came into the fight at 262 pounds (86 kg), he lost his first match in his second fight at the HERO'S 1 event on March 26, 2005. He has won over Tokimitsu Ishizawa, Taiei Kin, Kestutis Smirnovas, and Melvin Manhoef. Akiyama earned the champion belt after beating Melvin Manhoef in the Hero's light-heavyweight Grand Prix 2006 final round.

Akiyama defeated legendary Kazushi Sakuraba in the main event of K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite. "Akiyama is] Slippery" says Sakuraba during the match. Akiyama went on to win the game with a referee stoppage. This caused a controversy among MMA enthusiasts in Japan, who suspect Akiyama was using some sort of body oil or lubricant that was outlawed in K-1 legislation. In the interview, Akiyama answered questions about the oil as follows: "I have no idea why Sakuraba felt swollen." It could be my sweat, as I sweat a lot and often drips off my body."

Akiyama and FEG (the parent company of K-1) held a press conference on January 11, where Akiyama revealed that the lotion was used to repair a worn gi. Akiyama was also shown casually applying six bottles of lotion to his body in his locker room, according to a pre-fight video. Akiyama was disqualified and his prize money was suspended as a result. Akiyama was suspended indefinitely from the HERO's tournament six days later. Akiyama's public outrage against him didn't end, but Nike was flooded with calls when Akiyama was shown on a television commercial in Japan. Though Akiyama has admitted to applying cream to his skin, he has said that the intention was not to gain an unfair advantage but to moisturize his dry skin. The contest was declared a "No Contest" by the officials.

Akiyama was cleared of his FEG-induced suspension, and FEG announced that Akiyama would return to K-1 Hero's in Seoul on October 28, 2007. Denis Kang, the 2006 champion of PRIDE Bushido Grand Prix and making his debut in Hero's, was his challenge. Akiyama beat Kang by KO in the first round despite being an underdog.

Akiyama met Kazuo Misaki at Yarennoka on December 31, 2007. According to the match's rules, kicks to the head of a defeated opponent would not be allowed. Misaki dragged Akiyama with left hook in the first round, and Misaki screamed out of his boots as Akiyama stumbled to his feet, knocking Akiyama out of the game. Misaki was ruled a knockout victory, but Akiyama claimed that one or both of his hands were on the ground at the time of the kick, which would make the game a foul under the Yarennoka. Rules were followed. The Yarennoka! After watching a video of the knockout, the Yarennoka! The executive committee approved the new result, which was changed to a no-show.

Akiyama had signed a contract with the organization on February 24, 2009. On July 11, Akiyama made his UFC debut against Alan Belcher at UFC 100. Despite missing a broken orbital, he won by split vote (30–27, 28–28). It was the 1st fight in Akiyama's career that was on the judges' score cards. Both fighters received a record-breaking $100,000 bonus each, and the fight was also named "Fight of the Night" honors.

Akiyama opened a new gym in Tokyo, Japan, on May 30, 2009. The 'Akiyama Dojo' includes Judo and MMA halls, 30 tatami mats, and three octagonal cages.

Akiyama began working with Xtreme Couture in October 2009 to work on his striking skills. On February 21, 2010, Akiyama was supposed to meet MMA legend and former PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva, but Silva instead met British striker Michael Bisping on the card, winning by unanimous decision. Akiyama had requested to fight Silva for a while but had refused to face other opponents, according to UFC President Dana White, who had verbally agreed to combat.

On July 3, 2010, Akiyama was due to face Silva at UFC 116 in Chicago. Wanderlei had to pull out on June 22, 2010 due to fractured ribs from a training session. Chris Leben was chosen as a replacement. Despite directing the majority of the battle with strong hits and solid Judo takedowns, Akiyama became dissatisfied in the first round and lost by triangle choke with just 20 seconds remaining in the third round. His death was his first in five years.

By unanimous vote, Akiyama lost to Michael Bisping on October 16, 2010 at UFC 120. Akiyama converted to Jackson's Submission Combat in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in preparation for his bout with Bisping. It is uncertain if the switch is permanent. Despite losing to Bisping in the first round, Akiyama shocked him. He received his third "Fight of the Night" award. For all three of his UFC appearances, he has now been named as "Fight of the Night" on several of his UFC appearances.

Akiyama had intended to meet Chael Sonnen on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128, but the match was postponed due to Sonnen's suspension. Akiyama had intended to meet Nate Marquardt later this year but was forced to cancel due to the 2011 Thoku earthquake and tsunami, as well as Dan Miller.

In the first round, Akiyama was defeated by Vitor Belfort at UFC 133 via KO (Punches). Akiyama lost for the third straight defeat in the UFC. Following the fight, Dana White said that Akiyama will not be fired from the company if he agrees to go back to welterweight. Akiyama has confirmed that he will drop a weight class, allowing him to remain in the UFC as of September 3, 2011. On November 3, 2011, a picture of Akiyama had circled the web of his body frame as a welterweight.

On February 26, 2012, Akiyama met Jake Shields at UFC 144. He lost the fight by a unanimous vote (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Despite losing the fight, Akiyama was able to use several judo techniques that had been praised as the main points of the fight;

At UFC 149 on July 21, 2012, Akiyama was supposed to face Thiago Alves. However, Akiyama was compelled out of the match due to a back injury.

During the Q&A session for UFC on Fuel TV 8, Akiyama appeared alongside Hatsu Hioki. Akiyama said during the Q&A that he was considering returning for another bout as long as he has a free schedule as well as being matched against a well-known opponent that will pique fans. In addition, Akiyama said he still has a keen interest in wrestling Wanderlei Silva, a match that was supposed to be called off for UFC 116, but the situation was changed when Silva had to pull out due to injury.

Akiyama returned from his self-imposed hiatus to the sport after more than two and a half years away from the sport on September 20, 2014. On the day, he was supposed to face Kyle Noke. However, Noke was forced out of the match due to a knee injury and replaced by Amir Sadollah. Akiyama was the victor of a unanimous decision in the fight.

Akiyama returned to face Alberto Mina on November 28, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 79 after another year away from the sport. He was disqualified by a split decision in the back-and-forth fight.

Akiyama has announced his deal with ONE Championship after three years from his previous appearances. In a co-headliner match at ONE Championship: Legendary Quest, Akiyama defeated Agilan Thani. He lost the election by unanimous decision.

On February 28, 2020, Akiyama met Sherif Mohamed at ONE Championship 109: King of the Jungle. Akiyama won the first round by a knockout, his first stoppage by strikes in nearly 13 years.

On April 21, 2021, Akiyama had intended to meet Mohammad Karaki at ONE. The match was canceled, and Akiyama had been supposed to face Eduard Folayang at ONE on TNT 4 on April 28, 2021. However, Akiyama pulled out of the match after suffering an injury while training camp, and the match was later cancelled.

On March 26, 2022, Akiyama met Shinya Aoki at One Championship: X. Akiyama advanced to win by technical error in the second round after being virtually guaranteed for the majority of the first round.

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