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Riku Morisaka
Japanese kickboxer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Riku Morisaka (Japanese: 森坂 陸, Morisaka Riku; born April 15, 1998) is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who fought out of Tokyo, Japan. He is a former Krush Featherweight (-57.5kg) champion.
Beyond Kick ranked him as the ninth best -58 kg kickboxer in the world between April and July 2023.[1][2]
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Kickboxing career
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Super bantamweight
Morisaka made his professional debut against Takumi at Syuken 27 on October 25, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision and amassed a 4–3–1 record over the next two years, before being placed in the KHAOS super bantamweight tournament, which was scheduled to take place at KHAOS 2 on July 8, 2017.[3] Although Morisaka was able to overcome the future Krush and K-1 featherweight champion Yuki Egawa by split decision in the semifinals of the one-day tournament,[4] he lost the final bout against Shota Oiwa by unanimous decision.[5] It was his second career loss at the hands of Oiwa, as he had previously beaten him by unanimous decision at Syuken 30 on February 11, 2016.[6]
On May 26, 2018, Morisaka faced another future K-1 featherweight champion in Tatsuya Tsubakihara at KHAOS 5.[7] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[8] Four months later, at Krush 93 on September 30, 2018, Morisaka was booked to face Taito Gunji in the quarterfinals of the Krush Super Bantamweight tournament.[9] He lost the fight by majority decision, with two of the judges scoring the fight 30-28 for Gunji, while the third judge scored it 30-30.[10]
Featherweight
Move up in weight
Morisaka took part in the one-day Krush featherweight tournament, held to fill the vacant throne, at Krush 119 on November 27, 2019. He faced Keito Okajima in the semifinals and won the fight by a third-round technical knockout, knocking Okajima down twice by the 2:58 minute mark of the round. In the tournament final Morisaka faced Takahito Niimi. The fight was ruled a draw after the first three rounds were fought, with two of the judges scoring the bout as a draw (29-29 and 30-30), while the third judge scored it 30–29 in Niimi's favor. Accordingly, an extension rounds was fought, after which Niimi won a unanimous decision.[11][12]
Morisaka was scheduled to rematch Taito Gunji at K-1: K'Festa 4 Day 1 on March 21, 2021.[13] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 30–27, 30-26 and 30–26.[14]
Morisaka faced Toma Tanabe at K-1 World GP 2021 in Osaka on December 4, 2021. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[15]
Morisaka faced Haruma Saikyo at K-1 World GP 2022 Yokohamatsuri on September 11, 2022, in what was Saikyo's return to professional competition following a close to three-year absence from the sport.[16] He won the fight by split decision, after an extra fourth round was contested.[17]
Morisaka faced the once-defeated Rei Inagaki at Krush 144 on December 18, 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him a 30–29 scorecard.[18]
Krush champion
Morisaka challenged Shuhei Kumura for his Krush Featherweight (-57.5kg) title at Krush 147 on March 25, 2023.[19] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–28 and one scorecard of 29–28. Morisaka knocked his opponent down with a spinning backfist in the opening round of the contest.[20]
Morisaka faced the former K-1 featherweight champion Tatsuya Tsubakihara at K-1 World GP 2023 in Yokohama on June 3, 2023.[21] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–28 and one scorecard of 30–29.[22]
Morisaka made his first Krush Featherweight title defense against Tatsuki Shinotsuka at Krush 154 on October 21, 2023.[23] He lost the fight by majority decision, with scores of 30–29, 30–29 and 29–29.[24]
He announced his retirement from the sport of kickboxing on October 28, 2023.[25]
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Titles and accomplishments
- KHAOS
- 2017 KHAOS Super Bantamweight Tournament Runner-up
- Krush
- 2020 Krush Featherweight (-57.5 kg) Tournament Runner-up
- 2023 Krush Featherweight (-57.5kg) Champion
- 2023 Fight of the Year (vs. Tatsuki Shinotsuka)[26]
Fight record
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See also
References
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