Takeru Honored With 2025 Victoria Lee Award For Charitable Efforts Across Asia
Every January 13, ONE Championship bestows the Victoria Lee Award to the ONE athlete who went above and beyond to make the biggest, most significant impact in their communities over the past 12 months.
This year, Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru “The Natural Born Crusher” Segawa has been honored for his substantial charitable donations and efforts across Asia.
The award is named after late ONE athlete Victoria Lee, who tragically passed away near the end of 2022.
In addition to making substantial financial donations toward flood relief efforts in Myanmar, Takeru worked tirelessly in support of important causes throughout 2024.
In both July and October, he paid visits to childcare facilities in Japan, spending time with the children answering questions, giving kickboxing demonstrations, and just hanging out.
The #2-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender also visited various schools in Vietnam, where he passed out gifts, including desperately needed school supplies, televisions, air conditioners, and even candy. He also entertained the students with playful exhibition kickboxing matches.
Takeru then paid visits to schools in Laos. Yet again, he greeted students, spoke to them, and inspired them with kickboxing demonstrations. What’s more, he donated substantial funds to these schools to help them install water purification devices and fix old plumbing in the buildings.
“The Natural Born Crusher” plans to keep his charitable work going in the coming year.
On March 23 at ONE 172, he will battle Thai superstar Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in one of the most highly anticipated kickboxing super-fights in recent memory, and Takeru has already pledged to donate a portion of his fight purse to building and repairing schools in Laos.
ONE Championship is proud to recognize Takeru for his endless efforts outside of the ring to better the communities around him.
