colin
Hiroki Akimoto scored a career-best win over “The Tank” Qiu Jianliang after three rounds of nonstop motion at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS.
The Japanese athlete’s steady offense helped him outscore the debuting Chinese language famous person to assert a unanimous resolution win of their bantamweight kickboxing combat on the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, 3 December.
Within the course of, Akimoto defended his #3 rank within the division, confirmed that he’s a severe contender for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title, and snapped Qiu’s 18-fight successful streak.
The primary spherical began at a blistering tempo, with each males rapidly stepping on the gasoline. Qiu leaned again to evade his rival’s kicks and replied with onerous counters, however the Evolve consultant was not deterred and sustained a powerful work charge.
Akimoto smashed his foe’s legs with low kicks, stepped in with onerous knees, and by no means absorbed a single shot with out replying in form. He countered with multiple-strike combos at astonishing speeds that appeared to take “The Tank” without warning.
Nonetheless, an expertly timed push kick from the Chinese language star managed to deck his rival and provides him some confidence.
Within the second spherical, Qiu started to time his strikes extra successfully. Akimoto saved coming at him with chopping low kicks, however the Bengbu native waited till his opponent was on one leg earlier than pulling the rug from below him by sweeps.
After being floored a number of occasions, the Japanese karate stylist’s offense slowed slightly, permitting “The Tank” to achieve confidence within the bout. Akimoto nonetheless discovered a house for loads of his kicks, however the debutant countered effectively together with his proper hand and thudding physique pictures.
Figuring out the match nonetheless hung within the steadiness, each males unleashed the whole lot they’d within the last stanza.
Akimoto stepped in behind his lead hand and volleyed his foe with kicks to the legs and physique earlier than sneaking some by the guard to the pinnacle. Qiu by no means appeared fazed by the pictures, however they emblazoned him with purple scorch marks.
“The Tank” fired in onerous proper physique kicks behind his punches and despatched the Japanese striker down with sweeping low kicks once more, however Akimoto’s quantity nonetheless stood out within the exchanges.
After three hard-fought rounds, the judges rendered a unanimous resolution verdict in favor of the Singapore resident, pushing his profession document to 25-1 with 4 straight wins on the worldwide stage.
Learn extra: ONE: WINTER WARRIORS – Stay Outcomes And Highlights For Each Struggle
