Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa

Like many kids, Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa was a dreamer. But unlike others, he had to make his dream work.

Growing up with two sisters in Yonago City, Japan, Takeru would often watch professional wrestling with his dad whenever it came on the television set. However, he was enamored by a different sport entirely because of the rise of Japan’s K-1 promotion – kickboxing – and wanted to become one of the stars who competed on those events.

With few opportunities to practice kickboxing in his childhood, the Japanese athlete started his martial arts journey by learning karate in second grade. It became a part of his life, but it was merely a hobby for him at the time.

When Takeru entered high school, he initially wanted to become a childcare worker. Unfortunately, he spent a lot of time hanging out with friends who negatively influenced him. Soon, he was expelled, and his path to a professional career was shattered.

Though he was dejected, Takeru knew he was talented at martial arts and wanted to pursue it more deeply. Ultimately, he decided to focus on his first love – kickboxing – and it allowed him to break away from the negative influences that had surrounded him.

Takeru’s next move was a courageous one. The Japanese teenager worked multiple odd jobs so he could buy a plane ticket and relocate to Thailand by himself. There, he intimately studied the country’s national martial art, Muay Thai.

While training in the country, he realized it was possible to make a living through combat sports. That motivated him even more to pursue his original childhood dream.

“Natural Born Krusher” would eventually dominate the amateur scene, and he carried that success over to the professional ranks. And finally, in 2014, he made it to K-1.

Takeru enjoyed an unbeaten seven-year run in the Japanese promotion, where he became a three-division Kickboxing Champion and defeated the best athletes each weight class had to offer. That ultimately paved the way to join ONE Championship, where he is now ready to take on the planet’s greatest strikers.

The Japanese superstar’s life has gone full circle, as he now takes part in charities to help the youth. He even won the 2025 Victoria Lee Award for his dedication to improving impoverished communities around Asia.

Despite being backed into a corner with only one path available for him, Takeru’s passion and dedication helped him make his dream work. And now, as he continues to fight the world’s best athletes, “Natural Born Krusher” hopes a new generation will follow his lead.