In Photos: Noiri, Yoza, Matsukura, And Tamaru Gear Up For ONE SAMURAI 4 At Team Vasileus Open Workout
Four Team Vasileus kickboxers trained publicly in Tokyo ahead of ONE SAMURAI 4 on October 17, featuring Noiri, Yoza, Matsukura, and Tamaru in high-stakes bouts.
Four Team Vasileus kickboxers—former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri, two-division RISE Champion Toki Tamaru, and former K-1 Champions Yuki Yoza and Shintaro Matsukura—held an open workout at Vasileus Gym in Tokyo on September 29. The session served as a final preparation ahead of the blockbuster ONE SAMURAI 4 event, broadcast live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo on October 17. Each fighter demonstrated their striking techniques for media and fans, highlighting the depth of Team Vasileus’ roster as they target championship opportunities.
Masaaki Noiri enters the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament semifinals against Mohammad Siasarani with a 52-14 career record, including 28 stoppage wins. The 33-year-old Japanese striker seeks redemption after falling short in his bid to unify the title against Superbon in November 2024. Noiri’s quarterfinal victory over Liu Mengyang set up a potential rematch with Superbon for the undisputed crown if he advances.
Yuki Yoza, a former K-1 Champion with a 23-3 record, has made a significant impact on ONE Championship’s bantamweight kickboxing division. After debut wins over Elbrus Osmanov and former champions Petchtanong Petchfergus and Superlek, Yoza challenged ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty at ONE SAMURAI 1 in April. Though he lost a competitive five-round war, Yoza rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Ben Woolliss in July and now faces Nabil Anane in a bout that could reignite his title pursuit.
Shintaro Matsukura, 34, makes his ONE Championship promotional debut at ONE SAMURAI 4 with 38 career wins, including titles in KNOCK OUT and K-1. The lightweight kickboxing clash against Sinsamut Klinmee marks his first appearance in the promotion, where he aims to establish himself and pursue Regian Eersel’s kickboxing belt. Meanwhile, Toki Tamaru, 24, looks to build on his ONE SAMURAI 1 debut win over Toma Kuroda with a second straight victory against Shoma Okumura in a strawweight matchup.